Wes Anderson is a director whose style is so distinct and easily recognizable, thanks to his captivating cinematography and eccentric characters. Whether it be a certain color grading in a movie that screams “Anderson” or a TikTok trend mimicking his symmetrical shots, you can always tell when a film is directed by Anderson. Over the past 2 decades, since Anderson’s debut, he has built a world of beautiful and cinematic storytelling carefully constructed with several layers. 

Anderson’s original debut as a director was with Bottle Rocket (1996), but it was The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) that branded his distinct voice, deadpan humor, interesting characters, vintage costume design, and his famous symmetrical framing. Since his debut, he has continued to thrive, directing films such as The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and The French Dispatch (2021), among others.

In my two Favorite Anderson Films, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Royal Tenenbaums, both have extremely different plots but very similar style choices at the same time, which is something so captivating that Anderson has mastered. For example, both films feature similar color coding, museum-like props, and characters who speak in monotone tones of voice. This style choice creates a unique cinematic universe that feels entirely his own. On the other hand, this style choice may come off as too controlled, leaving some audiences cold. 

One of my favorite aspects of Anderson’s directing style is how he consistently brands every film with his unique color grading and framing, so you know the movie is directed by him. One of his other unique directing techniques is the use of the same actors to star in his films. While every film may not have the same exact actors, he interchanges them throughout his films, another way he makes his works recognizable. 

The Royal Tannenbaums deals with a dysfunctional family grappling with failure and redemption. The Fantastic Mr Fox explores themes of identity and midlife crisis, even though the main character is an animated fox. Anderson has an extreme talent for balancing serious themes with quirky visuals and intricate costume design. The final product of every film he’s worked on always comes together beautifully 

I recommend Anderson’s films to anyone who has an appreciation for cinematography, visual storytelling, dry humor, and films that don’t typically align or follow the Hollywood “formula”. He’s definitely not for everyone, but if you give him a chance, you may find yourself relating to his obscure themes or falling in love with his style of filmmaking.