In classic Wes Anderson style, the film is vibrant, creative, an upside down world throughout. The structure takes the style of a newspaper, turning the pages to find a new story. Three main plotlines feature one by one, each story with a unique design and style, married together by Wes Anderson’s imagination and usual flare. However it has been a few days since I watched The French Dispatch, and I am still a little confused. This certainly does not mean it wasn’t enjoyable or worth watching, but be prepared to have a lot of questions when the film finishes.
The prelude to the first story is similar in style to the Grand Budapest hotel, this time a scene of an imagined French town with both quirky and charming features. We view this town as a combination of still painted images, gradually coming to life through movement of people and places. Owen Wilson (one of the writers of the newspaper) drives the narrative structure as he cycles and enlightens us on the culture and feel of the city as he rides around. The look of this section almost feels like a comic, adding to the inventive audience viewing experience of this newspaper-based film. We learn about the history, quirks and humour of the place as well as the underlying story of the newspaper owner, his quips, and business style. As the characters are introduced, these are the writers of the stories in the newspaper, the connecting factor of the very different stories that follow.
The first story is based in an asylum, a new modernist painter is born and his unexpected muse. The story engages class, and state of mind, and creates questions about art and culture, mixed with violence. An explorative story, that brings joy and a quirky heart-warming mix of love and hate, passion for art, lust and money. The variety of characters and plots twists make this tale almost feel like a Grimm fairy-tale. Even though this part has minimal dialogue, the storyline is driven through characterisation, visuals and creative filmmaking.
The second story is of another journalist and her interactions with an obscure youth political movement, which fights its battles with protests and games of chess. This depiction of a newspaper story, is faster paced and perhaps the most confusing of the three, with many different character interactions and minimal background explanation. This bright and colourful story builds a coming of age tale, with many characters. However this a coming of age drama that is not like any you will have seen before, both visually and through plot.
The third and final story, perhaps my favourite, is of a man with a little boy, both bold and strange. There are more elements of humour and ridiculousness in this third section. At the climax of this section the boy is taken, and suddenly an elaborate plan enthrals to get him back. The final chase of the story is almost full animation, in real newspaper comic style, it is beautiful artistry and the images are print worthy. A truly heart-warming adventure of a father, and his love for his son.
Without a doubt, the film is visually explorative and adventurous, and will definitely bring a smile to your face, with its tales and twists along the way. I enjoyed the frivolity, beauty and imaginative creation of Wes Anderson. However in order for me to love this film more development to understand further is needed. The plotlines needs a bit more explaining and I am still unable to fully see the linkages between each section. 7/10
Image: https://www.3point0studio.com/en/the-french-dispatch-2/
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