DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
FORBIDDEN LOVE
Fig. 11. GIF from Moonrise Kingdom (2012), picturing Jared Gillman and Kara Hayward
Even though this category may seem out of place in this topic because lovers are not generally considered family, in case of Wes Anderson movies, this is not always true. The forbidden/unlikely love is a very prominent relationship theme across nearly all of his films. The romantic relationships are often edgy and represent a taboo in real life. It started with his second film, Rushmore and the story of Max (Schwartzman) and Ms. Cross (Olivia Williams).
RUSHMORE
The Relationship between the two is sweet and endearing at first. We as a viewer are prompted by the narrative to feel sympathy for Max for his awkward disposition, his troubled adolescence and well-intentioned nature. The love he feels for his teacher, in his longing for connection is endearing. This takes a turn when Max proceeds to aggressively come on to Ms. Cross. Max had been under the influence of his mentor, Herman, which gave him unprecedented confidence.
Ms. Cross, a young widow, finds herself entrenched in loneliness. Most of her contact is with her students, so when she meets Herman, who is clearly enamored with her, she sorts of defaults into a relationship with him. It becomes obvious to her and the viewer, that this relationship is dissatisfying to her when Herman fails to develop emotional depth. Herman, on the other hand, develops deeper feelings for her. Max is upset by this development, and Herman refers to Rosemary as 'his Rushmore', in defence of their relationship. This is a reference to the fact that Max's life had been consumed by his attendance at the prestigious academy, Rushmore.
Fig. 12. Clip from Rushmore (1998)
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
The semi-incestuousrelationship between Richie and Margot Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson and Gwyneth Paltrow) is perhaps the most memorable of the controversial love stories in the films of Wes Anderson. Richie has been infatuated with Margot, his adopted sister since childhood. His obsession with her drives his artistic ambitions, as all he paints/draws are portraits of her. His love for her also motivates his life ambitions and helps him become a successful tennis player. Margot is much less emotionally expressive and more difficult to read. Her cold and distant nature prevents any real emotional connection to anyone. We learn about her troubled past and promiscuous behavior, her affair with Eli (the family friend and wannabe Tenenbaum played by Owen Wilson) and her cold marriage to the mild-mannered psychiatrist Raleigh St. Clair (Murray). The relationship between Margo and Richie is problematic for the viewer, since the viewer is convinced that Margot is indeed a Tenenbaum, albeit not biologically. She is so far removed from her biological family and far too entrenched in the quirks of the classic Tenenbaum personality. Their love only becomes acceptable as Richie commits a character suicide, along with an attempted physical suicide. As he takes off his headband, shaves his signature hair and beard, proclaims "I am going to kill myself," and drains the Tenenbaum blood from his veins, he becomes a different person, no longer Richie Tenenbaum, but somebody suitable for the love of Margot (Gooch).
Fig. 13. "Royal Tenenbaums 'Needle in the Hay' " YouTube.
MOONRISE KINGDOM
Another controversial coupling forms the central relationship in the film Moonrise Kingdom (2012). Sam and Suzy (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) are two troubled 12-year-olds who fall in love and decide to run away together. Suzy comes from a seemingly nuclear family, but feels disengaged with her siblings and outcast by her parents. She had found a book entitled "Coping with the Very Troubled Child," which she assumes is about her. Sam proceeds to laugh at her and her problems, in comparison to his own situation. Sam is an orphan who is used to going from foster home to foster home and repeatedly being rejected by his community. He is a skilled Khaki Scout but is very unpopular among his peers and decides to leave the troupe. He meets up with Suzy and the two decide to run away together. The film explores their quirky, serious personalities which retain the naive innocence of childhood but are also very mature, and scarred from life experience. The two form a powerful bond and fall in love. The viewer is taken on a journey of this love and their exploration of nature and each other. Given their age, some scenes and dialog feels inappropriate and too mature for the two innocent children. A lot of things work against them on their journey and they are finally discovered and barred from seeing each other. In the end after a few climactic resolutions, Sam gets adopted and him and Suzy are able to maintain their relationship. The love story of Sam and Suzy serves as an antithesis to the lives and relationships of the adults in the film. Especially the marriage of Suzy's parents (played by Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), which seems miserable, depressing and dark. The naive hopeful love of the two children is in prefect contrast with the hopelessness of aging and marriage Suzy's parents portray. The escape, the journey of Suzy and Sam and the little Eden they created on the beach is supposed to be evocative of one of the stories Suzy is reading in her fantasy books. Wes Anderson created a fictional world in these books to serve as his own metaphysical inspiration for the story (Seitz Ch.7).
Fig. 14. "Coping with the Very Troubled Child" Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
