Smart as a Fox
By Angela Arlia

This fantastic film adaptation of a classic children’s story reminds us why we all have to grow up sooner or later—and how to enjoy life along the way.

Wes Anderson movies are a real treat to watch because they often revolve around some adult male’s wish to stay adolescent forever—the Peter Pan syndrome realized. It’s also fitting that his “go to” stars are the likes of Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman who are man-children or, at the very least, look young even though they are adults.

For instance, Rushmore was about a boy in a prep school who has a crush on a teacher and then finds out that his mentor likes the same woman.  The movie’s plot revolves around the silliness that ensues. The Darjeeling Limited, another of Anderson’s classics, was about a bunch of brothers trying to make peace with their mother and father.  While Anderson’s movies always include plenty of fun, play, and misunderstandings, each plot also has a profound thought within it that complements the entertaining elements.

Anderson’s newest movie—2009’s The Fantastic Mr. Fox—is no different.  Even though this movie is a stop-motion animated film, the basic Anderson storyline is there:  an adult wanting to return to his youth.  Based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl, the film is about an adult fox that wants to relive his prime and in so doing he upsets the current state of his family.

The movie is also about family and community. In revisiting his youth, Mr. Fox (the fantastic George Clooney) alienates his wife and son. His actions have repercussions on the community and he has to put everything back in order. He has to go back to being an adult again.

One of the best parts of this movie is the cast. Or I should say, the voices. Not only is George Clooney in the movie but Meryl Streep joins in the fun as well. Jason Schwartzman is wonderful as the son who tries to follow in his father’s pawprints but fails miserably. Bill Murray is back on the big screen and cute in a smaller role.

This movie is also such a delight due to the tighter focus on the story than any of Anderson’s other movies. It seems that by way of this cunning fox, he’s gotten at real spirit of his man-child obsession.

When I left the movie, I had the urge to turn around, head back into the theater, and sit back down in my seat until a teenaged usher pushed me out. This movie bought out the woman-child in me and I think it will do the same for you.