When I was in my fourth semester of graduation, the teacher gave us the assignment to write the script for one scene from our favourite movie. I chose a movie that I have never seen before but had downloaded on my laptop for about 7 months. That movie was ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel' by Wes Anderson. And ever since I have been a great fan of the artistic style of Mr Anderson. The static frames of each scene gave me so much joy that I started making notes of all the scenes.
Since the start of my active involvement in reviewing movies (and books), I have been excited about one such movie. The French Dispatch.
Now if you have the slightest and mildest of interest in watching movies, that is source material for the study of cinematography, direction, art style with a hint of social commentary then you must have come across at least a few Wes Anderson recommendations that have popped up in your feed. And today, I present to you the greatest and the loveliest aspect of The French Dispatch.
Plot:
Spoiler, the editor is dead.
It isn't much of a spoiler, per se, that's how the film starts. The proprietor of french dispatch, previously known as the picnic, a weekly American magazine, published in Ennui, France, has passed away due to a cardiac arrest. And this is the last circulating edition of the magazine. This last edition contains an obituary by the staff, a brief travel guide and subsequent articles written by the most profound journalist.
The movie, in the most Wes Anderson fashion, is divided into 5 chapters.
Chapter 1: Obituary
The first is the obituary, which tells the tale of the life and death of Mr Aurther Howitzer junior, a short introduction to his early days, accomplishments, his perception of the world, and his resting place is concluded by his early demise. Then the narrator introduces his clan, the team of the so-called esteemed writers.
On the last day of his work (and life since he died at work), Howards is deciding what article to keep and what to discard, for the latest edition, that is told ahead in the film.
Chapter 2: Colour Local (a guide to Ennui, France)
Written briefly by Herbert Sazerac, this section is named El Reportero En Bicieta. A travelling journalist introduces the world to the history, life, living, and development of Ennui, France.
Chapter 3:The Concrete Masterpiece
Story written by JKL Berensen, it is a tale of Moses Rosenthaler (convicted murderer) with the talent for refined art and his muse, Simon. The article print is an episode of Rosenthaler’s life after a few convicts Julian Cadazio (tax evasion) takes interest in the artist and the art, and commissions paintings that are now permanently etched on the plaster of the wall of Ennui prison\asylum for public viewing.
Chapter 4: Revision To The Manifesto
By Lucinda Krementz, the next article talks of the incident from the journalist's own life, around the “Chessboard Revolution” of Ennui, after students and military resolved the issue of student revolution with a chess fight. The story of the star of the revolution, Zeffirelli, and the involvement of the journalist with the said individual ( professionally and romantically) that ends with our over-enthusiastic writer paying homage to Zeffirelli, postmortem.
Chapter 5: The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner
A Recollection of the incident, taking place in connection to the world-renowned chef Lt. Nescaffier, and the kidnapping of the son of police commissioner, by Roebuck Wright during a television interview. During the incident of the story, the son of the police commissioner is kidnapped by a notorious gang and the ransom is released of the gang accountant, “The Abacus”, during which the prodigal son asks for the cook that designs the escape plan. The action-packed incident is printed with permission of the telegraphic memory of Mr Wright.
High Points:
The outstanding storytelling technique in the fashion of the magazine itself has to be the best part of the film itself. The chapters are shown as the magazine is printed. In the introduction to the cast, the main journalists, who are published in the last editions are missed out deliberately, invoking excitement and curiosity among the viewers, whereas the non publishing journalists are given a brief interview on the spot.
The involvement of the journalist in the action was an outstanding part of the story. Making it personal, making it worth the last edition work.
I have always been incited by the switch between monochrome and coloured panels, in one sequence by Anderson. It always jumps out even to the one who is unknown to the cinematic technicalities.
The in-studio production style gives a marvelous artistic feel.
Anderson films are a great lesson in colour theory. Most of the part of the story is in monochrome black and white, science it is being told in the past after the events have taken place and being published in the magazine, some scenes were chosen to be in colour telling the necessity of colour to leave an impact on your mind and in storytelling.
The unveiling of the “contemporary art” of Rosenthaler and the large piece on the prison wall was shown in colour. The lovemaking scene in the “revision of the manifesto and taxi scene address strong emotions like love and loss of beloved.
Another point worth noting comes from the last chapter of the movie. Chapter 5, the private dining room of the police commissioner, is probably the longest one in the movie, containing more action, details and information in comparison. So when the climax is about to come, the decision to switch from recording to animation brings back life to the movie. While watching the chase scene it felt, a stretch, by a switch to the comic strip style gave pace to the final scenes.
The Lows:
Finding lows was quite hard, as fiction with a hint of realistic touch is my favourite genre. At the risk of repeating myself, the last part felt a little longer.
The last sequence with all the employees with the corpse of Aurther Howitzer had me lost too. I supposed they had a good relationship with him, and he gave them high regard as compared to the rest of the staff. By them, we are not as saddened by his death. In fact, the elite staff indulged in cakes. Does it translate that the staff did not reciprocate his appreciation? That part confused me.
In Conclusion….
In conclusion, the wait was worth it. Not only from a critical point of view, but the movie is also beautiful in a visual context. For a general audience, it might be hard to keep up with the plot if they do not understand French, otherwise, the jolly tone was maintained throughout the film.
French Dispatch is everything it is expected to do and better. A perfect portion of physical, visual and literary comics.
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