Wes Anderson & the use of aesthetic

One of the things I love about Wes Anderson movies (apart from obscure pop culture references and the fun of dysfunctional families) is the strong use of aesthetic that permeates his three most recent films; The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissuo, and The Darjeeling Limited. In these three films, major characters were given either a look (a là Chas Tenenbaum's red adidas tracksuits) or a certain piece of clothing/accessory that acted as a prop (Peter Whitman’s 1970's sunglasses fufilled this role in The Darjeeling Limited... as did the luggage).

#1; The Royal Tenenbaums.(Starring Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston)

Here, my personal favourite has got to be Margot Tenenbaum. The fur coats, vintage dresses, severe eyeliner and constant hairclip were an integral part to her character, and this was made even more obvious in flashbacks which saw the young Margot in the same get-up. Even when she was in the bathtub, that eyeliner didn't let up.

Chas Tenenbaum is always seen in a red adidas tracksuit, the same went for his sons, Ari and Uzi. My favourite Chas moment was at Royal's funeral, where of course, he had an adidas tracksuit on; only it was a more appropriate black.

Richie Tenenbaum's was all about the accessories, particulary his sunglasses and sweatbands from his tennis days. As well as fitting into the 1970's feel of the film, this added to the character of Richie; still stuck in his past glories.

#2; The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. (Starring Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Cate Blancett, Anjelica Huston)

This film is harder to identify a certain aesthetic for, being mainly as the film takes place on high seas for 3/4 of the time. However, they may be at sea, but the style certainly isn't. Team Zissou wore powder blue uniforms and red bobble caps, something which the imdb.com tells me was inspired by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Eleanor Zissou also wears a fantastic orietal print wrap during a intimate conversation with the reporter on deck and constantly makes me jealous with her turquoise necklaces. There is also an Isabella Blow cameo which is not to be missed, and an eel in the film, dubbed the Hermes eel, is patterned after a scarf of the legendary fashion house!

#3; The Darjeeling Limited. (Starring Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody, Jason Schwarzman, Anjelica Huston)

This film is pure gold in terms of aesthetic. The Indian setting lead to its becoming a much brighter film that really 'pops' at the audience. And, then of course, there is the amazing luggage which I am still coveting.

Francis Whitman, the oldest of the three brothers, has recently been involved in a car crash. This means that he spends the majority of the film wearing bandages and padding, which add a melancholy air to the proceedings. He also owns a rather expensive pair of shoes, which get stolen by a young shoe-shine, much to his anger, as they cost $30,000.

Jack, the youngest, seems to be nearly always resplendent in his dressing gown from Hotel Chevalier (I didn't include this as a film, as at 12 minutes long it's a short, but Natalie Portman's Marc Jacobs by Louis Vuitton outfit is certainly worth noting, if only for the pink gauze top she sports, alongside a pair of sporting tube socks and a very becoming gamine haircut). Even when his brothers have their issued Darjeeling Limited pyjamas on, Jack wears his yellow robe. Perhaps because his ex-girlfriend wore it in Hotel Chevalier?

Peter, the middle brother, is clinging onto his father by wearing his presciption glasses despite the headaches they lead to (leading to the nickname ‘Rubby’). I full out adore these glasses, and after seeing the film, asked my boyfriend to get some. They add a certain layer of mystery to Brody’s character, providing a visual that aids the audience in seeing the distance between the three brothers. Much like Richie Tenenbaum, Peter Whitman is longing for the past.

Sadly I cannot find a photo of it online, but I also love Rita’s glasses/sari combination. The juxtaposition between the hard black lines and the soft vibrancy of the sari is just so good.

And of course the luggage. Oh the luggage. Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton naturally, like the rest of the film's wardrobe, and auctioned off after the film’s completion in the NY store. It's the perfect mix of whimsy and traditional. Yum...I want, I want, I want! When they left it all behind (I know they were shedding their metaphorical baggage but...the luggage!)

-meg,xoxo