"The French Dispatch", the latest of Wes Anderson's creations ("movies" won't cut here) is a rare treat to his fans and a handful of those who will appreciate the nuances - but offers little value to the rest.
It's not an easy movie - segmented, disjointed, switching between color and black & white - and it seems like something Anderson wanted to do for a while; letting go of the fear of being direct and digestible, he's going full in on his artistry. The talent is there, no doubt about it - but "The French Dispatch" is a call to such a limited audience, it almost feels like a middle finger to those who want to be a part of Anderson's world. Here, the message is clear - if you don't know, you don't belong. And as such, is not pleasant.
It's not an easy movie - segmented, disjointed, switching between color and black & white - and it seems like something Anderson wanted to do for a while; letting go of the fear of being direct and digestible, he's going full in on his artistry. The talent is there, no doubt about it - but "The French Dispatch" is a call to such a limited audience, it almost feels like a middle finger to those who want to be a part of Anderson's world. Here, the message is clear - if you don't know, you don't belong. And as such, is not pleasant.