You can sum-up Wes Anderson in one word, eccentric. He creates offbeat characters that live in their own worlds, worlds that exist outside the edge of normal. The way he uses music, set design and costumes makes him seem like a mad genius. When I watch any of his dramedies, I always find myself asking the same questions, “Why do the characters where the same thing everyday?” or “What decade is this?” The ambiguity and quirkiness of his films are part of the charm of each story.
Wes Anderson has found actors that are as quirky as he is to embody the unconventional characters of his films. The familiar faces are anchors for the audience as they are taken through the peculiar storylines. As early back as Bottle Rocket we see the Wilson brothers, Owen and Luke. Since Bottle Rocket Owen Wilson has appeared in The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Darjeeling Limited. Luke Wilson makes an appearance in Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, not surprisingly since brother Owen co-wrote these films with Anderson.
Bill Murray, a comic legend makes several memorable love-stuck appearances in Anderson films. Ironically his characters have no idea what love is and therefore never gets the girl. We pity Murray in Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and as the title character in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Murray also makes an unforgettable cameo as the businessman in The Darjeeling Limited.
Murray’s nemesis in Rushmore is portrayed by another Anderson regular, Jason Schwartzman. Few can recognize Schwartzman’s voice as a tennis match commentator in The Royal Tenenbaums. His most recent Anderson appearance is the womanizer we love to hate in The Darjeeling Limited.
Anjelica Huston is the only woman Wes Anderson would consider a muse. In each film she is the epitome of female strength and independence. Each of her characters is forced into the role of matriarch since they all have one thing common, unsuccessful marriages to Peter Pans. Huston portrays characters that are following their own path in The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic and The Darjeeling Limited.
We relate to the characters in Wes Anderson films because they are not immune to the same struggles we all have in dealing with love, death, family, ego, identity and self-awareness. Anderson pokes fun at the drama in life; by creating characters we can relate to and laugh at, he teaches us to laugh at ourselves.
