THE FRENCH DISPATCH MOVIE REVIEW

Director/writer Wes Anderson attempts a film that is sort of an anthology, is his MOST Wes Anderson-y film yet, and also the most experimental work he’s yet produced. And of course, this features a giant cast of both Anderson regulars (Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman) as well as a number of actors working with him for the first time (Timothée Chalamet, Benicio del Toro). This loving tribute to journalism with a special focus on French filmmakers/writers/cartoonists (but not only French ones), tells the story of the last issue of The French Dispatch, a magazine published out of the fictional town of Ennui-sur-Blasé (lol). It’s established at the beginning that the publisher has died (Bill Murray) and his wishes were that no issue be published without him and the magazine be closed down after his death. The film is split into three stories, each a piece published in the last issue, and with a wraparound story of him discussing the pieces with their authors and making edits. And it is A LOT. Which is great if you are a big Wes Anderson fan. Probably not so much if you’re not. Fortunately, all the critics assigned to this one decidedly are in the former camp. Listen to Chris, Beau, Spider-Mike, and Wright set up the elaborate, symmetrical tableau for you that is this movie.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE/TRAILER

DIRECTED BY: Wes Anderson

STARRING: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Elisabeth Moss, Jason Schwartzman, Fisher Stevens, Griffin Dunne, Wally Wolodarsky, Anjelica Bette Fellini, Anjelica Huston, Jarvis Cocker, Tilda Swinton, Benicio del Toro, Tony Revolori, Adrien Brody, Léa Seydoux, Henry Winkler, Bob Balaban, Denis Menochet, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Alex Lawther, Mohamed Belhadjine, Nicolas Avinée, Lily Taleb, Toheeb Jimoh, Rupert Friend, Cécile de France, Guillaume Gallienne, Christoph Waltz, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Winston Ait Hellal, Liev Schreiber, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Saoirse Ronan, Hippolyte Giradot

 

YOUR REVIEWERS

 

Christopher Lawrence Cox (Founder, Da Boss)

Born in the wilds of northern Virginia, Chris managed to put all of his survival skills to use and barely escaped with his life to Austin Texas in 1992 where ever since he’s dabbled in everything from plumber’s assistant to sandwich maker, from band to bar management. An opportunity to see theatrical release films for free by becoming a critic on a local public access show called “The Reel Deal” turned into a full-time job when Chris and his friends decided to take it to the internet. They built the site Spill.com, adding multiple podcasts and animated features, to no small amount of success. During this time, a fortuitous friendship sprung up between Chris and young Brian Salisbury, who was also a local film critic, and they merged their forces of will, and their laundry list of ideas for shows, to eventually build this community of critics. While Brian eventually followed his heart to a new family, Chris continues on with a cast of colorful folks from all over the country (and a few others). You can also check out Chris in his videocast, along with Martin Thomas and Danni Danger, that One Of Us does with our friends at Bell of Lost Souls: Crossover Event. He also regularly guests on the video game website Rage Select. Follow Chris on Twitter and Facebook and check out his Amazon Wish List.