Review of 'The French Dispatch'
Editor Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Bill Murray) of “The French Dispatch” magazine has died, demanding that publication immediately be suspended. We are shown the development of four articles from different sections of the magazine:
- The Cycling Reporter - Herbsaint Sazerac (Owen Wilson) delivers a cycling tour of the town of Ennui-sur-Blasé showing how little has changed over the years.
- The Concrete Masterpiece - J.K.L. Berensen (Tilda Swinton) delivers a lecture at an art gallery telling the story of mentally disturbed artist Moses Rosenthaler (Benicio Del Toro) imprisoned for murder at Ennui prison who has a relationship with stern-faced prison guard Simone (Léa Seydoux) who is also the subject of much of his work. Art dealer Julien Cadazio (Adrien Brody) sees Rosenthalers talent and seeks to exploit it, whether Rosenthaler wants it or not.
- Revisions to a Manifesto - Lucinda Krementz (Frances McDormand) infiltrates a student protest that soon boils over into the “Chessboard Revolution”. She helps Zeffirelli (Timothée Chalamet), their leader, in creating an elaborate manifesto.
- The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner - A private dinner for the Police Commissioner (Mathieu Amalric) prepared legendary police officer/chef Lt. Nescaffier (Steve Park), famous specialist in cuisine to be eaten by policy officers, is interrupted when the Commissioner's son Gigi (Winsen Ait Hellal) is kidnapped. It is up to Nescaffier to save the day…but how?
Another quirky film from Wes Anderson in his signature, washed out and stilted style with unbelievably quirky, but flat, characters and stories. It is amazing to look at and it is a lot of fun but so full of detail and fast, witty, dialogue that also makes it quite tiring to watch. The format billed as a love letter to the art of writing allows Anderson to run riot with little semblance of plot…so best not to look for it. Just let it flow over you and take in the spectacle.
There is an impressive array of A-list talent in the huge cast with many only appearing in what could generously be called a “cameo” but it is still good fun to spot them as the film goes on. All conform to the Anderson aesthetic so it is interesting to see these familiar actors often playing roles completely different than what they are known for such as Henry Winkler (yes the Fonz from “Happy Days”) as the meek Uncle Joe who forms a partnership with the art dealer in “The Concrete Masterpiece”, Owen Wilson as a bicycling tour guide oblivious to the road in front of him as he talks to the camera, or Timothée Chalamet as a bohemian student activist who seems not really all that interested in activism. All quirky and all amazing to watch.
You really have to be into Wes Anderson's films and aesthetic to enjoy this film with it's disjointed but highly amusing, erudite dialogue heavy, storytelling. Not for everyone, certainly.
Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”
Review Date: 2025-06-07
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Studio: American Empirical Pictures
Year: 2021
Length: 107 minutes
Genre: Melodrama
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8847712/
Other reviewed films by Wes Anderson:
- The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
- Isle of Dogs (2018)
- Asteroid City (2023)