One of my top 5 favorite directors. The only films of his that aren't masterpieces, IMO, are Bottle Rocket and Fantastic Mr. Fox. The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited, Rushmore & The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou are all perfect films, IMO.
Impacto said:
cute movies, but genius..... erm why?
There is originality in his characters and narrative structure. He's stylish obviously but also he is capable of creating situations that are both absurdly comical and deeply moving. Although his films from a certain angle are 'cute' they are also working on a number of different levels.
I was blown away by 'Rushmore'. It was the first Wes Anderson film I ever saw.
It's (relatively) easy to make a successfully moving film about a young man, who is quite intelligent, coming of age in a public school environment. It's also (relatively) easy to make a comedy in the public school environment. To do both, on the other hand, especially in an original and stylish way, is quite an accomplishment.
Wes Anderson paints wildly eccentric, yet believable, characters in absurd situations but his stories don't rely on absurdity. There is genuine heart in his characters, layers of subtext to each story. Even when he makes commercially viable films, 'sell out films', like Fantastic Mr. Fox, he still doesn't compromise. He makes a bizarre children's film in his own unique adult style and it works.
Why don't you think he's a genius?