The French Dispatch: Absurdity and Perfect Framing

The French Dispatch, (Wes Anderson) was one of the long awaited films of the year after lockdowns. The desire to see quality filmmaking on the big screen is finally satisfied through this masterpiece which brings one of the best actors and actresses together: Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Timothèe Chalamet, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Christoph Waltz, Saoirse Ronan and many more.

The film is divided into 3 stories which are featured in an American newspaper called The French Dispatch, released in France. They are based on real events which makes the film much more interesting to see.

Story #1: Art

The journey of an artist and his artwork which becomes a breakthrough of modern art is played out in story one. This piece masterfully makes fun of the elite who control the flow of art and it’s profits. The artist is ridiculed, used and pressured into becoming a mere tool to please a certain class of people. The conflict between the artist and the consumer is playfully construed through absurd dialogue.

Story #2: Politics

Personally favorite story of the film is this one in which Zeffirelli (Timothee Chalamet), a passionate university student and his friends protest against the system. Their energy, passion and naïveté is astonishing to watch and reflect on. We are sadly once again reminded of how inexperience and candor loses against tyranny of governments in the political arena.

Story #3: Food

The final story which requires more attention due to the it’s narrative structure stars Jeffrey Wright as the storyteller. It is about a brave chef who discovers a new taste which was actually intended as poison to a committee. The story captures bravery, food and criminality all at once. It is a good finale to the film which also ends on a sad note. However, each story is so absurd and visually captivating that the sadness feels like the salt and pepper of the whole amazing buffet the film offers.

Once again, Wes Anderson does not disappoint. The contrasting absurdity to the perfection of framing adds a meta level of absurdness to the film. Thank you to everyone involved in the making and hope you all enjoy the film as much as I have.