The French Dispatch

After the death of a magazine publisher, the writers find out that their magazine is ending. And in the last issue, besides the obituary, they will publish the best articles about art, politics, and food. Wes Anderson presents a not very interesting bunch of stories about journalists in a form that prevents him from selling what usually makes his films most interesting. (21.11.2021)

A short story tribute to "good old France and reportage journalism" that starts with by far the best story (meaning the Seydoux/Del Toro one, not the introductory one), which makes the others seem a bit unfairly ordinary. Another snag is that they are "one and the same". This is doubly annoying because they are "as if by different authors, each with their own unique style of writing", which should have resulted in each having a clear visual identity. But they are all an amalgamation of styles (different genres, film periods, animation) and therefore they are all indistinguishable from each other. Otherwise, everything is typically Anderson: distinctive poetics, elaborate camerawork, work with pompous mise-en-scene, performances on the edge of caricature, but without slipping into goofiness. Overall, this is so much a Wes Anderson film you’ll know with absolute certainty in advance whether you will like it or not. The only question is how much you'll (dis)like it, since it's a Wes Anderson film that's kind of idling this time. (27.12.2021)

I am surprised by how positively The French Dispatch is received, how willingly the audience jumps on another Wes Anderson dreamy train on the way to their own memories, regrets, and desires. What is missing is that famous step towards the audience, which usually makes such a journey easier through the fantastic world of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou or the playful animation of Fantastic Mr. Fox. This time, styles are referenced, forms are homaged, stories are swapped out, and the pace is treacherous due to the differing length and mood of the individual segments. However, when this headwind is overcome, it becomes an inventive, crazy, and contemplative mosaic of everything and everyone, from which, under the weight of the avalanche of various stimuli, the inability to keep up almost leaves your head hurting by the end. (17.02.2022)

The more recent Anderson’s films, the less animate the dolls he plays with, but they inhabit grander and more decorous rooms. The paradox of his tribute to the floridly descriptive and snobbishly authorial style of journalism consists in the fact that his film highlights its artificiality and illusoriness. (03.12.2021)

Wes Anderson's movie reportage, an amazing film that can be watched from beginning to end with a smile, preferably in the cinema, because that's the kind of film that cinemas were invented for. You can't help but admire the visuals and the innumerable ideas; all the actors are delightful, no matter how small their role, and each of the stories has something to offer. I look forward to seeing this delightful cannonade of fantasy again, and again, and again. Until then, I'll probably be listening nonstop to Desplat's amazing soundtrack. (19.11.2021)

The French Dispatch ["und so weiter"] ist ein weiterer typischer "Anderson-Film", der in Bezug auf die Geschichte und vor allem die Form an seine früheren Filme anknüpft - und doch ist er frisch, flott und keineswegs langweilig. Wieder einmal war ich von den präzise geplanten Szenen begeistert, die sich durch ihre plastische Zweidimensionalität auszeichneten und von verspielter Musik und diesmal auch von animierten Szenen begleitet wurden. Ich war erstaunt über die Anzahl der mehr oder weniger bekannten Schauspieler, die manchmal nur flüchtig auf der Leinwand zu sehen waren, aber dennoch einen Eindruck hinterließen. Ebenso wurde ich wieder einmal von dem raffinierten Drehbuch mitgerissen, in dem das Wort Absurdität (wie immer) eine neue Bedeutung erlangte. Wer den unverwechselbaren Stil des Regisseurs mag, wird seinen neuesten Film genießen und vor Glück grunzen. (20.11.2021)

In colors typical of mannerism, Anderson delves nostalgically into rose-tinted memories of the press, which has long since ceased to exist in this form. A time when journalists were paid for everything and had time to build a real relationship with their themes. A time when writing was valued. In doing so, it pokes fun at artistic, activist and culinary snobbery, and does so with passion and gusto. I hope that someone will take up his idea for a new gastronomic style: food suitable for police surveillance, because it would be useful today for other professions too. IN A NUTSHELL: About the press with love, nostalgia and fantasy. (16.05.2023)

Wes Anderson featuring Frankreich, französische Musik, französischer Film, französische Freiheit, französische Frechheit, französische Gastronomie. Das kann bei mir nur eine großartige Stimmung, Begeisterung und Freude hervorrufen. Außerdem erfreut es jeden Schachspieler, wenn Schach in einem Film oder einer Serie auf eine intelligente Weise auftaucht und nicht als eine geistlose Kulisse, bei der offensichtlich ist, dass die Schauspieler das königliche Spiel nicht beherrschen. Benicio Del Toro ist in einer ungewöhnlichen Rolle der beste Darsteller, Léa Seydoux setzt die Tradition französischer Schauspielerinnen wie Emmanuelle Béart fort. Ein prächtiges Filmwerk. (04.02.2024)

Wes Anderson is a big mystery to me. I never know if I should look forward to his movies or be apprehensive about them. Some of them are a blast, while others are mind-numbingly boring, and I was naturally hoping for the former. In the end, it was somewhere in between; I enjoyed the atmosphere, the cast, and the plot. Paradoxically, I was also dissatisfied with the plot, as some passages dragged on, and the movie felt three hours long. But not giving up on Anderson, you never know when the magic will happen. (02.01.2022)