Success can sometimes change people. Too much, too soon can have adverse effects. Praise, fame and money unfortunately can over inflate a person’s ego and sense of self worth. Someone that “makes it to the big time,” all too often becomes a casualty of the thing they so wanted to attain.Too many stars in the Hollywood system reek of this break in reality, some even we are left to wonder how big of a jerk they are. In light of this unfortunate occurrence, it is even more admirable to look to individuals who started out with nothing and remain unchanged by their success. We can’t help but admire people who stays true to their roots, no matter how many awards won, how many critics praise their hard work.
It is very admirable when someone coming from humble beginnings doesn’t let success change their drive, their passion to create. Currently in the spotlight for his 2014 delight The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson is one such individual who has perfected his craft through the years. Anderson’s unconventional directing style and creative vision has provided the world with several films of immense comedic and stylistic substance. Anderson’s body of work includes underground classics like his debut Bottle Rocket, to award nominated films such as The Royal Tenenbaums, to the incredible Moonrise Kingdom (2012).
Anderson grew up in Houston, Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin where he studied philosophy. This was also a crucial time in Anderson’s life where he met Owen Wilson, a lifelong friend and collaborator in almost every film Anderson has made. He got his break with the original short film, Bottle Rocket (1993). Originally supposed to be a dramatic crime drama, Anderson and Wilson soon realized they were out of their element, and this change charted the course for their prospective careers. Anderson got his big break after the short screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 1993, and so impressed director James Brooks that Anderson soon found himself under contract to make his simple short into a feature length film. The young director had his first major box office breakthrough with The Royal Tenenbaums in 2001, combining critical success with financial triumph.
Anderson’s unusual directing style consists of his meticulous color choices, an obsession with symmetry in all shots, and a constant use of close ups of his characters. His fresh, original directing style produces a beautiful and vibrant world on screen, and combined with his dry humor and wit, a true filmic joy is created. Anderson’s films bear the look and texture of independent films, all made under the watchful eye of the big studios.
Wes Anderson is not an individual afraid to take risks in his career, and although he has been hailed as “the next Martin Scorsese” (a quote spoken by the current Martin Scorsese, Martin Scorsese) he hasn’t let that influence his filmmaking. From Bottle Rocket to The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)., Anderson’s quirky comedy and his beautiful yet unusual style have defined his films. Anderson’s body of work is a delight, and the man hasn’t let success change him or his vision. A visionary both through style and commitment to his art, Anderson’s contribution to the film community is already a vast and impressive body of work, and is bound to get even better.
Written by Jacob Smith Chamelin
Web Content Writer
Visions Film Festival & Conference
Wilmington, NC
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