The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
The brief
Anderson's most Anderson-y film yet feels like flipping through a meticulously art-directed New Yorker issue, complete with pristine dollhouse sets and his trademark symmetrical obsessions. The three-story anthology structure lets del Toro, Swinton, and McDormand each command their own vignette with theatrical precision, but the pacing drags between the visual splendor and literary pretensions. It's gorgeous to look at but emotionally distant, like admiring a perfect diorama behind glass. For die-hard Wes Anderson completists and anyone who thinks The Grand Budapest Hotel needed more French intellectualism and less heart.
The verdict
If you're a Wes Anderson devotee who appreciates visual artistry over emotional connection and enjoys literary magazine aesthetics, this meticulously crafted anthology will delight you with its pristine dollhouse perfection. If you prefer movies with genuine heart and brisk pacing over stylistic exercises, you'll find this beautiful but emotionally distant film feels more like admiring art in a museum than experiencing a story.
Watch with
- 👥 Cinephiles who appreciate visual artistry
- 👤 Wes Anderson completists
- ⚠️ Viewers seeking fast-paced entertainment
Heads up
- Student protest violence and unrest (moderate)
- Imprisonment and incarceration themes (moderate)
- Kidnapping storyline (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Wes Anderson
- Cast
- Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri
Official synopsis
The staff of an American magazine based in France puts out its last issue, with stories featuring an artist
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Both films showcase meticulous directorial craft and fractured narrative storytelling.
Total runtime: 1h 48m + 1h 29m = 3h 17m
