Wes Anderson has earned himself a spot in my heart for being one of the great Directors of recent years. His style feels so distinctive and fresh though are the same time rather strange. His films can split a room in two, those who sit in silence and those who find them hilarious. There is also something great visually with his work and in terms of the films soundtracks they are second to none!

Though these points and praises are only at face value, where Anderson really shines is in his ability to tell a great story with interesting and unique characters. Anderson really knows how to tug on some heart strings with his films, many times I have found myself feeling warm inside or trying to hide a tear in my eye.

Although I love every single piece of work he has done, which one deserves my top spot?

6. Bottle Rocket (1996)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_twg7Jj_mqQ

Bottle Rocket started its life out of a short film and then adapted to feature length. The premise remains the same in both versions, which in a sense is the reason why this has came in dead last in my list. Though it is important to know dead least in a Wes Anderson list does not by any means make it a bad film.

There is something lacking about this film in comparison to the rest in this list. Though it is still funny and somewhat emotional in the right dose. Great performances from the Wilson Brothers who thankfully make a regular appearance in films in this list.

The reason it’s so low in the list is mainly due to the fact it feels as though Anderson is warming up with this film.. Perhaps this is obvious with the fact it’s his first feature length, but for this reason it comes bottom of my list.

5. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2igjYFojUo

This is Wes’ most recent voyage and it is certainly a bold step, as it is executed in stop motion animation. It is important to remember that this film at its roots is a kids film and is based on Roald Dahl’s novel. Anderson has done a ‘fantastic’ job of making this his own, which at the same time makes the film a very strange watch for children. Not only because of the writing style and dialogue but but visually for children it is not as pretty as the more common animated films they are currently used to.

The film has a great cast that really work well for the characters they play. I personally loved the choice of stop motion for this as it feels very classic and authentic. Behind this somewhat simple plot there lies a deeper story of a sons acceptance by his father, children would not be able to identify with this or even realise it’s there. I think this film deserves a lot more credit for how well this film works. It is certainly an adult film disguised as a children’s film.

4. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Eg6yIwP2vs

Such great characters that get thrown into some great quirky situations. Once again Anderson throws in some fatherly troubles that the characters mush accept. There are no really stand out points in this film aside the ending which is hilarious, and acts as a great somewhat feel good conclusion to the film.

The script is flawless, so much so that it was nominated for an academy award, but unfortunately it lost out to Robert Altman’s Gosford Park. The way the characters are developed and explained really draws the audience into their messed up lives.

There is no real tangeable aspect of the film that I can bring to back up it’s placing aside the fact that it all works so well.

…That’s three films out the way leaving me with another three. This is where it gets extremely difficult for me as it feels somewhat a travesty to place these ahead of one another, but it must be done.

3. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZVxCNwBqXI

This for me is Anderson’s funniest piece and it still after many many watches keeps me laughing. Bill Murray takes lead and he is great from the word go. The overall visual style of the film is great, along with an amazing soundtrack that utilises great Bowie tracks but with a Seu Jorge twist.

So many scenes make this film an absolute keeper! The scene where Murray narrates a cross section of the Belafonte (Zissou’s ship) as well as when the pirates capture the boat, though I don’t want to ruin anything.

The plot remains true to Anderson with his fatherly undertones though the main narrative revolves itself around Zissou wanting revenge on a shark that killed his friend. How the character interact is great and how they become somewhat emotionally attached in one way or another is brilliant, with some amusing results.

2. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO1bYukdvLI

I shall begin with the look of the film, visually it has a brilliant glow about it and looks very full and rich a lot like the stories plot. It circulates itself around three brothers who feel they aren’t close enough and desire to go on a spiritual journey. Which when it comes down to it, that’s what this film is a great journey and it certainly brings the audience along for the ride.

Great performances from the main three actors, as well as an amusing cameo from Bill Murray. The interaction and dialogue between the brothers feels so real and somewhat saddening in the way they treat one another, or perhaps it would be better to say the way they don’t treat each other.

The film is rather sad in many ways but at the same time has some nice uplifting moments. After watching this for the first time, I seriously couldn’t help myself but to watch it again. I find myself putting the film on randomly before bed so I can jump into the story. Though saying that it would be incorrect to call this film a no brainier, far from it. The film is beautiful in every sense of the word and it really is a piece of art.

1. Rushmore (1996)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hQel3noQeI

Rushmore is my number 1, it was an extremely hard decision between the top three as they really could be swapped around between each other and their would be reasons to warrant it. Though this for me tops it, Jason Schwartzman is golden in this role, as an actor he deserves so much more credit as Rushmore is testament to just how great he is. He falls into this role perfectly, and I really cant picture anyone else in his position.

The script and direction is amazing from start to finish, so much so as ridiculous as it sounds, I didn’t want the film to end. I loved each an every character as if they were real people and I were friends or family with them that’s thanks to the fantastic script courtesy of Anderson and Owen Wilson.

There is a deep sense of struggling with the main character as he searches for acceptance from his peers and teachers. It really is sad that he can’t find happiness in himself thus must pretend to be someone more important and of higher class.

Once again Bill Murray is sterling, alongside the other supporting actors. There I

are some amazing pieces of dialogue as well as some fantastic scenes such as Max Fischer’s (Schwartzman) theatre productions as they are so OTT its hilarious.

But why does this deserve the top spot? Well the proof is in the plot, it is so well structured and no scene is wasted in the development of the story and its characters. It is so interesting to see how the story unfolds and what will become of Max Fischer who you cant help but relate with and put yourself in his shoes.

Well there we go. No doubt many people have very different opinions on their favourite Anderson film, but this is my the order which I have chose. One can only hope Anderson keeps up the exceptional good work with whatever he works on next.

For more from this writer visit – www.anthony-askew.co.uk

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