Book Four: The Wes Anderson Collection

I hesitate to include 'picture books' in my 52 reads in 52 weeks.  Truth be told, The Wes Anderson Collection is hardly that. 

For the obsessives of Anderson's work, this tome is hardly just 'pictures'.  The book reads like an exhaustive interview.  This reader get the feeling our interviewer (Matt Zoller Seitz) really struggles to get anything of merit from Anderson.  In retrospect, one gets the impression that Anderson feels his works stand on their own merit, what more can he say?

And Anderson's right... his canon of work stands alone.  This collection is a great compliment and for fans, the mix of storyboards, stills, illustrations and influences is fascinating.  For me the highlight of this comprehensive book, is a look into Anderson's influences.  Wells, Hitchcock, Truffant... The author makes me want to go back and view The French Connection and Two English Girls and rewatch The Royal Tenenbaums. Unlike other directors, Anderson's homages are intentional but subtle.  Take a hint, Quentin Tarantino.

Even the well-versed Anderson fan will find something new here.  Can you imagine Royal Tenenbaum played by anyone other than Gene Hackman?!  It almost happened.

The Wes Anderson Collection leads up right up to last summer's gem Moonrise Kingdom.  It's difficult to explain what makes Anderson's films so different yet so comfortable.  While I can't see the average film fan getting their money's worth from this volume.  Cinephiles and Anderson geeks will certainly enjoy this new look at old favorites.