The French Dispatch

The French Dispatch is a 2021 American anthology and comedy film written, directed and produced by Wes Anderson from a story he conceived with Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness and Jason Schwartzman. The film brings to life a collection of stories from the final issue of a fictional American magazine called the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, published in a fictional 20th-century French city.

Wes Anderson, the celebrated director known for his distinct visual style and quirky storytelling, also directed "The Grand Budapest Hotel," adding another layer of his creative touch to this cinematic masterpiece.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel" is a prime example of Anderson's unique cinematic vision. As a producer, Anderson played a pivotal role in bringing the film to life. Beyond his directorial duties, his involvement in the production allowed him to oversee various aspects of the movie, ensuring that his signature aesthetics and narrative nuances were present throughout the entire filmmaking process.

Wes Anderson dedicates a lot of time and effort into creating specific artistic scenes with a diversity of color and culture throughout the films set design and costumes evoking an old world universe where fashion and architecture are at the forefront of the viewers imagination.

One strength of "The French Dispatch" is its ensemble cast. The film features an impressive lineup of actors, including regular Anderson collaborators like Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Tilda Swinton, as well as newcomers like Timothée Chalamet and Elisabeth Moss. Each actor brings their own unique energy to their role, and the chemistry between the cast is palpable. The performances are both comedic and heartfelt, and the characters are memorable and well-drawn.

The film’s first segment of 3, "The Concrete Masterpiece", follows an incarcerated and unstable artist, and stars Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton and Léa Seydoux. The second, "Revisions to a Manifesto", is inspired by the May 68 student protests, and stars Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, and Lyna Khoudri. "The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner" features Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, and Stephen Park, and follows the kidnapping of a police commisioner's son. Bill Murray also stars as Arthur Howitzer Jr., the paper's editor, while Owen Wilson appears in a short segment that introduces the film's fictional setting of Ennui-sur-Blasé.

One of the standout elements of "The French Dispatch" is its visual style. Anderson is known for his distinctive aesthetic, and "The French Dispatch" is no exception. The film is filled with bright, saturated colors, quirky set pieces, and meticulous attention to detail. Each frame of the film feels like a work of art, with compositions that are both whimsical and precise. Anderson's signature style is a major draw for many viewers, and "The French Dispatch" showcases it in all its glory.

The setting is no less elaborate a confection and each frame no less packed with artisanal detail than those of The Grand Budapest Hotel, arguably The French Dispatch’s closest kin among Anderson’s previous films. The film is incredibly eccentric and is more of a work of art than an actual film including a variety of stills and theatrical sets that make the movie seem like a Broadway play in some parts. These French Dispatch stills make the film feel like an art gallery to the viewer.

Additionally, the costumes and outfits both contrast and compliment each-other, and the colors of the scenes throughout the film.

The Hollywood Reporter explains how regular collaborators who make vital contributions include DP Robert Yeoman, his visuals mixing black and white with color bring the film alive with all the trademark symmetries, skewed angles and careful compositions.

The Hollywood Reporter also praises composer Alexandre Desplat, “whose doodling piano themes help shape the jaunty tone.”

While the film lacks a strong overarching theme, the colors, costumes, sets, visual stills, and attention to artisanal detail all help bring value to the project. In the movie’s limited opening weekend, it grossed $1.3 million from 52 theaters, for a per-venue average of $25,000 (the best per-venue average of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The French Dispatch" is a film that rewards repeated viewings. Anderson's films are known for their rich detail and Easter eggs, and "The French Dispatch" is no exception. The film is filled with small details and references that may not be immediately apparent, but which add to the overall richness of the experience. The film's structure also allows for multiple viewings, as viewers can focus on different stories and themes each time they watch it.