The French Dispatch is another of Wes Anderson’s superb films.

Before any consideration of the story, the film has to be considered an exceptional viewing experience for the unpredictability (that he always brings), the richness of characters, and the uber-esoteric settings—mostly amid a Sahara of dry humor. Not to mention that the cast consists of a blend of top comedic and dramatic talent (while I am sure the actors view it as work in High Art, they seem to be having the perfect mix of challenge and fun). Some new (to his films) “star” faces are evidence of the allure of this filmmaker. 

The structure is a little unusual because it’s broken into segments, but it all conforms within the context of a newspaper founded and operated in France by an American. Yes, there are some subtitles as a result.

The bulk of the movie consists of segments featuring eccentric reporters who ultimately feature (for purposes of the film) in  the fantastical stories they covered for the paper. One segment  covers the bio of the founder. 

As with most of his films, Dispatch cannot be fully experienced in one sitting. I’m not sure whether it was deliberate or not in the context of the newspaper business, but the pace moved even faster than in his past films: imagine an upscale restaurant where they deliver and clear a number of exquisite courses–each new one just before you had finished the last.

He took a few risks in this new one. It was a delight for me, but from what I heard it’s not for everyone. If you are already disposed to like Anderson’s films as I am, you will almost certainly appreciate this one. Just FYI, the cost of the DVD is close to the price of the film at the theater.

WRH