Cannes Critics’ Panel Day 1: Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom

Click to enlarge.

Irrefutably signed Wes Anderson, co-scripted along with Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom is this U.S. indie filmmaker’s 7th feature film. Starring newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as two 12 year-olds who fall in love, this ensemble includes long-time collaborators in Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman along with, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, narrator Bob Balaban, Edward Norton in the role of Scout Master Sharp, and Bruce Willis playing the island’s law and order figure in Captain Sharp. Our panel appears to be still settling in, but those who did provide feedback either love it (several 4 stars) or somewhat mediocre score. The Focus Features films holds the distinction of being the festival’s opener and being included in the Main Competition. Similar to last year’s festival opener by Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), so far the 65th edition appears to have kicked off into the right direction, but we should have a more concrete idea shortly.