Filmmaker Wes Anderson has made a name for himself by creating a signature look in all his films. Each work is a swirl of corduroys, emotional coloring and sweet men with haircuts who denote waxing philosophic.
Anderson’s well-known style makes each of his movies, from “Rushmore” to “Moonrise Kingdom,” fall together as pieces in a grander puzzle of the same universe. This allows fans of Anderson’s movies to enjoy his films in any order without worrying about issues of continuity or extrinsic plot points.
For Anderson’s Louisiana admirers, an issue has risen with the March 7 U.S. release of his most recent film, “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Many moviegoers scoured the state’s cinemas for show times only to be disappointed by the apparent lack of Anderson’s highly rated piece. The absence continues to make waves with fans, who are hoping “The Grand Budapest Hotel” will begin playing with a wider release.
The actual issue here is the apparent neglect given to Louisiana’s movie lovers. If the absence of the Anderson movie is, in fact, because of a select theater release, it’s an unpleasant oversight to a greatly deserving state. I find select releases to be unnecessary acts of hyping movies that already have significant support from fans. Internet buzz alone is enough to get people behind something, be it a film, album or video game.
Despite a disapproval of select releases, I acknowledge that if they are used to also give praise and prestige to movies, fans feel they are deserving of such niceties. Louisiana was owed at least one theater for this release. Filmmakers have long been attracted to Louisiana’s landscape as well as the many benefits of filming instate, including tax cuts and a considerable body of actors ready to perform.
It’s not a surprise that Anderson has become the ubiquitous name behind the idea of a film both mainstream and with a cult following. Appreciation of his work has gone so far as to develop “Wes Anderson” into an adjective, being applied to any and all things eccentric, slightly awkward or sentimentally nostalgic. All of these appreciative aspects of his work are present in Louisiana, let alone other states that received a special release.
If the cinematic background of the state is not enough to defend Louisiana’s worthiness of an Anderson release, a Wes Anderson film series is currently being held at the Prytania Theatre in New Orleans. Even though this is an event that would surely warrant a special release, the Prytania is being denied “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” disappointing many moviegoers hopeful of attending an early screening.
I’m sure the movie will begin opening in theaters in Louisiana and across the country within the next few weeks. This successful limited release of only four screens in New York and Los Angeles marked the film as the highest-grossing limited live action debut of all time. If movies are going to continue to take advantage of the special release, consider paying back states that offer so much to both filmmakers and box offices.