Well, first things first, we want to let you know that we might have been not very objective when we set foot in the Cinémathèque. And for good reason, Wes Anderson is a monument of cinema, and let’s just say we had high expectations (like, really high) for this first French tribute to the director. While the Cinémathèque lives up to its reputation by offering something comprehensive and accessible, we were not convinced from start to finish.
Fantastic Mr. Anderson
The Grand Budapest Hotel, La Vie aquatique, Fantastic Mr. Fox, La Famille Tenenbaum, or more recently his short films based on Roald Dahl stories, since the beginning of his career in the... t-ete/"> 90s, Wes Anderson has continuously made us dream, immersing us in extraordinary worlds filled with pastel colors, pop songs, and extremely recognizable camera angles.
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And for the very first time, the Cinémathèque invites us to dive into the behind-the-scenes of these various creations, with a wealth of props from shoots, puppets, photos, and even notebooks. It's a journey to the heart of the ingenuity and talent of the Texan filmmaker, where you can't help but marvel a little. From the precision of certain puppets to his ability to surround himself with the same "troop" of films from one to another, not to mention his involvement in the shoots and his desire to pay tribute to those who came before him, the exhibition paints a wonderful portrait of Wes Anderson.
Onboard a (slightly) limited exhibition
However, we did find the exhibition sometimes a bit school-like, and not always very organized. From the outset...
game, we're invited to follow his journey in a chronological way, and very quickly, Isle of Dogs, released in 2018, appears before Moonrise Kingdom (2012), which in turn is showcased after the series of short films Netflix, released in 2023. Well, moving on, the chronological order suddenly shifts to a thematic one, which is a bit confusing, but that definitely doesn’t spoil the visit.What we found most frustrating was the feeling of lacking substantial information to grab onto, as the panels often remained quite superficial when it came to discussing the films' origins. Perfect for those who are discovering the director for the first time. A bit disappointing for those who wanted to learn a bit more. A few details here and there still manage to catch our attention against a set design that felt a bit dark for our taste, far from the...the dreamy and pop universe of Wes Anderson.
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Despite these little flaws (quite minor, wouldn't you agree?), it’s still a lovely retrospective that the Cinémathèque is offering us. A well-paced exhibition, not too long, not too short!, punctuated by excerpts from all the director's films, along with objects and decorations that immerse us, room by room, into each of his creations. Just a small note, though; we prefer to warn you, you will leave wanting to watch the entire collection again!
Wes Anderson
Cinémathèque française
51, rue de Bercy — 12e
From March 19 to July 27, 2025
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