Wes Anderson: Where to Start?
I would watch his films chronologically, so you can see his progression and how he’s developed his style. If you skipped Bottle Rocket and just dove into Rushmore, that would be fine since that’s really when he gets going with his unique sensibility.
just start at the beginning and watch the lot, it’ll only take ten days or so…max:)
(I’m trying to restrain myself, but my hands are typing by themselves… sorry!!)
Where to start with Wes Anderson?
NOWHERE!!!!!! >:)
You need to back off, DFFOO. We like our Wes!
Mubi style: faux contentious disagreement?
“Mubi style: faux contentious disagreement?”
My favorite, Nathan.
I started with Rushmore and I have loved all his films ever since – I have yet to watch Bottle Rocket, Mr. Fox and his latest Moonrise Kingdom though- so maybe you could start with Rushmore and see if it’s your cup of tea.
Honestly I would start with The Royal Tenenbaums or Rushmore as those were the movies that most people saw when he was fresh, felt fresh, and the audience was refreshed. From there you can basically go anywhere you like.
—PolarisDiB
When a director has made such a small number of films, all of which are very easy to find, it’s usually best to watch them chronologically.
@Drunken Father Figure of Old – I thought Nowhere was done by Greg Araki. I find nothing twee about this film.
I don’t know guys.
I think Bottle Rocket is for Anderson completionists but not for introductory audiences in particular. It’s cute, but it feels like Anderson is holding back some of the things that he would later introduce like a indie guy at a coffee shop chatting up his lady audience and struggling to hold back his obviously clingy style attraction. (It only ends up making him seem creepier).
—PolarisDiB
Well if you want a sample that is representative of his work then yes you’d go Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and something else. If you’re genuinely interested in the director though you may as well watch the 7 films in order to see his evolution (or lackthereof) and how his work varies (if at all) depending on his co-writer (Owen Wilson, Noah Baumbach and Roman Coppola each have two, believe).
Watch Rushmore first…if you love it…you’ll love the rest of his work. If you hate it….no point in moving on to his other works.
Start with either:
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums
Any of those three offer fine starting points. I don’t think his work varies enough to demand a specific order of viewing. If you like one movie, you’ll probably like all the rest, more or less.
Bottle Rocket is Wes Anderson’s Hard Eight.
As Polaris said, for completionists only.
Careful with Life Aquatic though. That seems his most divisive (I think its his worst.)
Royal Tenenbaums is by far my favorite from him.
@Santino – Whatever. Hard Eight is a wonderful movie, not just for completists at all. BTW, most people already know this I’m sure, but Martin Scorsese listed Bottle Rocket as one of the ten best movies of the ‘90s. It doesn’t contain the meticulous art design, but it does have his sense of humor and pacing. In fact, I think it serves nicely to introduce someone to Anderson, because the aforementioned set decoration and art design is probably his most off-putting element for many.
And, yeah, Brad S. is right, beware The Life Aquatic. That’s the one for completists.
@DFFOO
You beat me to it!
@Nathan – I like Hard Eight a lot. I’m just saying in both cases, these first films are quite different from the filmmakers’ subsequent work. I wouldn’t judge Wes Anderson strictly by watching Bottle Rocket just as I wouldn’t judge PT Anderson simply by watching Hard Eight. However, like others have said, Rushmore is a good taste for what is to come. If you hate that movie, you might as well just give up on Wes.
“In fact, I think it serves nicely to introduce someone to Anderson, because the aforementioned set decoration and art design is probably his most off-putting element for many.”
And his most attractive element for equally as many others.
“I like Hard Eight a lot. I’m just saying in both cases, these first films are quite different from the filmmakers’ subsequent work.”
This. Lots of first movies are good or at least interesting and yet really do not represent a director well at all.
“And, yeah, Brad S. is right, beware The Life Aquatic. That’s the one for completists.”
I think my friend Ryan explained The Life Aquatic best. He had just finished watching it for the second time actually, as he had wanted to see what I had to say about it because he said he was having a problem putting his finger on it, and as we were leaving the theatre Ryan said, “I get it now: Wes Anderson is feeling sad.”
There is sadness in all of Anderson’s work but The Life Aquatic is just a particularly low point in his life or something. Don’t know the actual biographical details behind that but nevertheless that’s the way it feels. All of his other movies balance that sadness out with good-hearted whimsy that Life Aquatic nodded to but didn’t really give just balance.
—PolarisDiB
I started with The Darjeeling Limited, then Hotel Chevalier, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou – In that order
Rushmore is my favourite, then I recommend you start with Rushmore, but they are all an excellent entertainment, good luck with your project.
My thought: Oh god, I don’t know what my feelings are doing, help Wes Anderson help
So many people I know always end up loving Rushmore the best, so I would say leave the best for last, because, arguably, you’ll be setting yourself up for the disappointment. This is just how it normally seems to go
Personally however I really loved hi last film, Fantastic Mr. Fox; perhaps it’s my childhood fascination with Dahl but the film was Wes Anderson through and through. Cut it open and it would bleed cute.
So many people I know always end up loving Rushmore the best, so I would say leave the best for last, because, arguably, you’ll be setting yourself up for the disappointment. This is just how it normally seems to go
Personally however I really loved hi last film, Fantastic Mr. Fox; perhaps it’s my childhood fascination with Dahl but the film was Wes Anderson through and through. Cut it open and it would bleed cute.
Thanks for the tips, guys. The reason I asked is because I have been knocking out some Woody Allen films, and I have been going in any order I want, from “Annie Hall” to “Anything Else.” I think for Anderson I’ll start at “Rushmore.”
Thanks for the tips, guys. The reason I asked is because I have been knocking out some Woody Allen films, and I have been going in any order I want, from “Annie Hall” to “Anything Else.” I think for Anderson I’ll start at “Rushmore.”
Yeah, Rushmore will be a good start, but I started with Darjeeling Limited and I’m happy I did – it’s the best thing he’s done yet
Watch ’em chronologically.
Watch Rushmore first…if you love it…you’ll love the rest of his work. If you hate it….no point in moving on to his other works.
I’m not sure if this implied syllogism holds up. While I do like Rushmore, it’s my least favorite of his films I’ve seen.
Just thought I’d echo the people who said to watch them chronologically. Bottle Rocket will ease you in and it’s a very good film.
Chronologically… yes!
Steve Pulaski
This summer, since I’m off of school, one of my goals is to dive into new director’s work. I’m already planning what Ingmar Bergman films I will try and go through this summer, and the work of the eccentric director Wes Anderson is on my list. My question is, since I know he’s very different, eclectic, and artsy, where is a good place to begin? Appreciate any feedback you guys can give me.