Moonrise Kingdom

It's almost as if Wes Anderson was trying to make a film that would appeal to the largest number of people. Well, he seems to have succeeded. I have not been an Anderson fan in the past, too precious, too calculated, to aware of himself on film (look at me! look at me!) and it's not that this outing is any less stylized, but somehow the characters and their individual dilemmas transcend the ego of the filmmaker and a balance is achieved between art and message, character and prettiness/smartness.
Of course the film is sold on Anderson's name and the names of the (many) big stars: Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Ed Norton, Tilda Swinton, (a surprising visit from Harvey Kietel), but it's the kids who are the stars here. All unknowns to me, all shot in the same seemingly expressionless close ups but the whole is grander than the parts. Also coincidentally, I was 12-ish in 1965 when this film is set so I relate to the knee socks, the lame awkwardness of boy/girl interaction. The theater was packed for the first matinee on father's day and leaving the theater, the guy in front of me said, "Well, wasn't that lovely!" and actually, it was.