Anderson’s quirky “French Dispatch’ opens Friday

Above : Wes Anderson’s film “The French Dispatch” opens on Friday. (Photo/Walt Disney Studios)

Among the several movies that will be opening Friday, one is of particular interest to fans of offbeat cinema.

Its title is “The French Dispatch.”

And if you’ve been going to any movies lately, you’ve probably seen trailer for it. You probably know, too, that it’s the latest offering by director and co-screenwriter Wes Anderson .

And if you know all that, then you’re likely to know as well that Anderson is one of those filmmakers for whom the term “auteur” was invented. In short, he makes films that are so individual – so filled with quirk and whimsy – that they are instantly recognizable.

Among some of his better known efforts: “Rushmore,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” not to mention the animated features “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “Isle of Dogs.”

Judging from the trailers, “The French Dispatch” follows in Anderson’s trademark style. Set in a fictional French city, it explores themes arising from various stories published in the newspaper known, of course, as The French Dispatch.

As with past Anderson films, this one is filled with a cast of stars, from Oscar winners Frances McDormand, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton and Benicio Del Toro to other familiar faces such as Bill Murray, Timothée Chalamet, Owen Wilson and Léa Seydoux.

The reviews are mostly good, though not universally so:

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “Bill Murray, Timothée Chalamet, Benicio del Toro and Frances McDormand are among the stars enjoying pinpoint dialogue in the exquisitely rendered collection of stories.”

The New Yorker’s Anthony Lane was a bit more circumspect: “ ‘The French Dispatch’ is a box of delights… though it would be negligent not to ask of Anderson, now more than ever: What would incite him to think outside the box?”

Stephanie Zacharek of Time magazine was having none of it: “It’s possible to love the past and still be aggravated by Anderson’s particular brand of tweed-and-fondant nostalgia, and now he’s back with yet another test of endurance.”

Let’s give the final word, though, to the Seattle Times’ Moira MacDonald : “ ‘The French Dispatch’ is an elegant ode to good writing, and to those who quietly stand behind the words.”

All that’s left to say is that “The French Dispatch” will open at both AMC River Park Square and the Magic Lantern Theatre.

Except that, as always, it’s you the movie fan who truly does have the final word.