Review of The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021) by Franzhcritic — 25 Oct 2021

Wes Andersons' attention to detail and whimsical, charming style make him one of the most unique filmmakers. He creates a colorful ensemble with a wild yet intricate imagination. However, like some of Anderson's previous works, 'The French Dispatch' is intricate to a fault.

Unlike his previous outings, 'The French Dispatch' actually feels like two hours, twenty minutes longer than its runtime. There is so much witty dialogue that made me feel as though Anderson was deliberately trying to stretch time.

While I appreciate his approach for standing out, I feel as though 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' had a far more grounded story that helped drive the plot rather than drag the moviegoers along. It's still a smart and well-acted film by an impressive ensemble, and I would recommend it to any film buff or Anderson fan.

However, the stylistic structure and intricacy of 'The French Dispatch' actually overwhelms the plot and the audience.