Wes Anderson is the kind of filmmaker whose films are instantly recognizable from their distinct style and aesthetic. With the release of the first trailer for his next film The French Dispatch, fans are already looking forward to his latest unique and star-studded adventure.
While Anderson’s style could be considered an acquired taste for some, there are plenty of people who cannot get enough of the special magic that exists in all of his films. It is that style that has helped create some truly wonderful cinematic moments that his fans will never forget. Here are the most memorable scenes in all of Wes Anderson’s movies, ranked.
The Funeral Scene (The Darjeeling Limited)
The Darjeeling Limited is usually not among the most beloved on Anderson’s films but it is still a beautiful, funny and touching story. The movie follows three brothers played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman as they reconnect following their father’s death for a train ride through India.
During their misadventures, the brothers come across a group of boys drowning in a violent river and attempt to save them. Unfortunately, one of the boys dies and the brothers take his body back to his village and stay for the funeral. The wordless sequence is shot in one long, slow-motion shot as the brothers walk through the small gathering of mourners set to “Strangers” by The Kinks. Without dialogue, the sequence communicates so much emotion through its beautiful shot.
Is It Worth It? (Isle Of Dogs)
Isle of Dogs was the most recent of Anderson’s films to hit theaters and has him return once more the stop-motion animation style. Set in Japan, this is the story of a corrupt government that banishes all dogs to a garbage island to live like wild animals.
At the center of the story is a group of dogs led by the owner-less Rex. In an early sequence, Rex and his pack confront another pack of dogs over a bag of garbage. As tensions rise, one of the dogs questions if a fight is even worth it since they don’t know what’s in the bag. After agreeing, they open it up and assess the contents before deciding it is indeed worth the fight and proceed to maul each other.
First Heist (Bottle Rocket)
In his first feature, Anderson introduced his charming style and witty sense of humor with this tale of aspiring criminals. Bottle Rocket stars Luke Wilson as Anthony, a man recently suffered a nervous breakdown who joins his friend Dignan (Owen Wilson) on a crime spree.
Though Dignan dreams of being a career criminal, he’s more like a kid playing cops and robber than an actual outlaw. This becomes clear during their first big heist in film. As they rob a bookstore, Anthony and Dignan are clumsy, awkward and seem to be having the time of their life.
Cussing Out (Fantastic Mr. Fox)
Fantastic Mr. Fox was Anderson first attempt at stop-motion animation, and it proved to be a style perfectly suited to his sensibilities. The film follows a fox (George Clooney) who lives a quiet family life before getting the urge to return to his outlaw lifestyle by stealing chickens from local farmers.
As Fox gets carried away with his reckless crimes, he meets with Badger (Bill Murray) to discuss buying some prime real estate. While the two begin with a mundane and professional conversation, they begin “cussing” each other (replacing a certain four-letter word with “cuss). Soon they revert to their animal instincts and begin growling and hissing at each other. It’s a fun moment of Anderson reminding us that this is just a story about talking animals.
Love Letters (Moonrise Kingdom)
Moonrise Kingdom was a story that allowed Anderson to explore the youthful adventures of children in his own unique way. The story follows two outcast youngsters, Sam and Suzy, living on a remote island who form a kinship and decide to run away together, sending their small community into a frenzy.
In a charming montage, we see the various letters these two exchanged throughout their budding romance. While getting to know each other, the two comfortably share some of the more unpleasant aspects of their lives with each other. It is a cute and effective sequence that feels like the kind of childhood romance we’ve probably all experienced.
Vietnam Play (Rushmore)
Rushmore stars Jason Schwartzman as a young ambitious man named Max Fischer, a student at the titular prestigious private school. Though a poor academic student, Max is involved in every extra-curricular activity there is and pursues them all with pure enthusiasm.
His greatest passion is staging massively ambitious plays, such as his violent stage adaptation of Serpico. After getting kicked out of school, Max manages to stage his masterpiece, a violent and loud Vietnam story. Seeing the crazy production design Max pulls off for this school play is as hilarious as it is entertaining. It’s made all the better by how serious Max takes it all.
Train Stop (The Grand Budapest Hotel)
The Grand Budapest Hotel is Anderson’s lively adventure set in a fictional war-torn European country. The story follows M. Gustave and his lobby boy Zero as they become wrapped up in a conspiracy involving a priceless painting.
Gustave is one of Anderson’s most lovable and interesting characters which makes the gut-punch of his demise so effective. As Gustave and Zero seem to have found their happy ending, their train is stopped by soldiers who harass Zero over his immigration status. Just as a similar scene played out earlier in the film, Gustave stands up for his friend politely at first before fighting the soldiers. This time, however, he is taken off the train and executed in an abrupt end.
Finding The Tiger Shark (The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou)
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou follows the titular oceanographer, played by Bill Murray, as he sets out on an expedition to find the tiger shark that killed his friend. The hunt for the shark takes a back seat to the other adventures of the story until Steve and the other characters locate the beast.
With everyone crammed in a small submarine, they venture into the depths of the ocean and find the shark. Upon seeing it, Steve decides not to kill it before saying “I wonder if it remembers me” and finally breaking down. It’s a beautiful and melancholy moment in a unique film.
Ritchie’s Suicide Attempt (The Royal Tenenbaums)
The Royal Tenenbaums follows the various accomplished yet troubled members of the Tenenbaum family. Perhaps the most troubled among them is Ritchie Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson) who struggles with his long-held love for his adopted sister Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow).
Ritchie hits his lowest moment as he attempts suicide in this harrowing scene. Alone in the bathroom and with Elliott Smith’s “Needle in the Hay” playing, Ritchie proceeds to cut off all of his hair and his beard, transforming himself before slicing his wrists. The matter-of-fact way Ritchie tries to take his life is heartbreaking, unsettling and powerful.
