Introduction
The unique visual aesthetic of Wes Anderson’s films, which is distinguished by painstaking attention to minute details and symmetrical compositions, makes them easily recognisable. Beyond the endearing characters and unique plots, Anderson’s films are enhanced by the architectural settings that play as crucial plot devices. From opulent hotels to eccentric residences, Anderson’s strong eye for design gives buildings personality by giving them a symbolic significance that viewers can relate to. In this piece, we travel around Anderson’s cinematic universe to examine the special function of architectural design and how it creates a beguiling narrative tapestry.
A World of Architectural Enchantment
Wes Anderson’s films serve as evidence of the special function that architecture plays in cinematic storytelling. Anderson’s architectural choices add layers of meaning and emotion to his stories, from symmetrical compositions that generate visual balance to the use of colour and design elements that have symbolic value. Whether it’s the whimsical beauty of little worlds or the nostalgic draw of the past, architecture takes on a major role in Anderson’s films, enchanting and entrancing audiences with the power of visual storytelling.
Wes Anderson has built a fictional world that appeals to and inspires viewers of all ages through the expert integration of architecture. Most directors tend to adhere to the industry’s colour theory, which holds that particular hues should be used in sequences that reflect the feelings they are intended to evoke. Typically, joyful moments are shown in bright, warm colours. It stands to reason that a view would usually be calming or reassuring if you were to see a lot of yellows, oranges, pinks, or light blues. Dark hues, on the other hand, may stand for unease or doubt. Dark colour schemes are more likely to evoke feelings of unease, fear, anxiety, or melancholy in us. This decidedly non-naturalistic method of filmmaking centres on architecture. The action in almost all of Anderson’s films is centred on a central building. It was a family house in Manhattan in The Royal Tenenbaums and an American tourist train travelling through India in The Darjeeling Limited.
Symmetry and the allure of miniature sets
Symmetry is much more than just an aesthetic choice in Wes Anderson’s films; it is a crucial component of his narrative style. Anderson creates visually breathtaking settings that expertly and precisely portray emotions, human relationships, and narrative ideas through symmetrical compositions. He always employs symmetry, which is one outstanding feature, and exquisite attention to detail is what continues to enthral audiences.
The whimsical and surreal aspects of his works are complemented by his use of symmetry in animation, which creates a quirky cosmos that enthrals and fascinates viewers of all ages. Every frame in Anderson’s animated works serves as a blank canvas for creativity and masterful narrative, serving as a tribute to the strength of visual storytelling. The usage of exquisite tiny settings is one of Anderson’s animated film’s charms. These intimate settings, which Anderson creates with amazing attention to detail, serve as the backdrop for his symmetrical narrative. The joy of these miniature collections lies in the imaginative and resourceful efforts that bring them to reality, ranging from the snug abode of “Fantastic Mr. Fox” to the vast garbage dump in “Isle of Dogs.”
Visual Storytelling as an Art
Anderson turns every frame into a work of art that adds to the narrative through the use of symmetry. Every element of the story, from the positioning of characters to the arrangement of items, has a purpose, and deepens the story’s meaning. Each scene in Anderson’s animation becomes a standalone narrative, making it a masterclass in visual storytelling.
Anderson employs a variety of strategies in each of these instances to make sure the viewer has a thorough understanding of the building. In addition to giving an impressionistic sense of place, he also describes how the various areas work together, occasionally using plans and cutaways.
Making a Whimsical Ambience
The symmetrical compositions enhance the quirky and surreal qualities of Anderson’s animated worlds. The intentional placement of the components produces a surreal mood that carries spectators into a magical world. It doesn’t matter if it’s the vivid hues and intricate textures in “Fantastic Mr. Fox” or the rigorous attention to minute details in “Isle of Dogs,” symmetry is essential in creating the distinct atmosphere of each movie.
Most Hollywood directors, who prefer to place viewers right in the middle of the action to promote direct absorption in the plot, strongly oppose this tendency towards diagramming and contextualization. Anderson, on the other hand, guides his audience through the environment he has painstakingly crafted, whether or not they are interested, much like an architect guides their clients.
One could say that each of his recent movies is a visually stunning tour de force. This is a result of his “relentless attention to detail.” He focuses your attention on what he wants when he wants, and he is an expert at using cinema to make every image important.
The Emotional Architecture Language
In the world of Wes Anderson‘s films, architecture transforms into a language of sensations, communicating ideas and inspiring feelings that are indescribable. Each structure and interior, from the lovely and whimsical to the melancholy and nostalgic, is skillfully designed to provoke particular emotional reactions from the audience. A kind of communication that deeply emotionally hooks viewers is Anderson’s architectural storytelling.
Wes Anderson’s style is far more polished. Though it appears easy to understand it is very intricate. A clever movie that serves information is enjoyed by the viewer. He is one of the few contemporary directors who is capable of executing significant tonal swings, and his plots are certainly entertaining.
References
Aguila, Y. (2020) The nostalgic color palette of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, MyBoysen. Available at: https://www.myboysen.com/nostalgic-color-palette/ (Accessed: 03 August 2023).
Chakraborty, D. (2021) The use of colors in Wes Anderson’s film, Film Aesthete. Available at: https://www.filmaesthete.com/2021/07/08/the-use-of-colors-in-wes-andersons-film/ (Accessed: 03 August 2023).
DeVoto, T. et al. (2021) How Wes Anderson uses color to shape his stories, Ceros Inspire. Available at: https://www.ceros.com/inspire/originals/wes-anderson-color-stories/ (Accessed: 03 August 2023).
Finn, A.P. (2020) The Uncanny Architecture of Wes Anderson – Architizer, Journal. Available at: https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/the-architecture-of-wes-anderson/ (Accessed: 03 August 2023).
Frew, A.S. (2023) Life imitates art: An architectural homage to Wes Anderson’s cinematic universe – architizer journal, Journal. Available at: https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/wes-anderson-architecture-cinema/ (Accessed: 03 August 2023).
Lannom, S. et al. (2023) Video essay: Wes Anderson’s directing style explained, StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/wes-anderson-style/ (Accessed: 03 August 2023).
