Studying Wes Anderson’s Influences: Movies That Inspired Him and Movies He Inspired
In light of the recent release of his new movie, The Darjeeling Limited, The Onion A.V. Club decided to take a look at Wes Anderson’s career and examined some of the movies that he may or may not have drawn influences from, in addition to movies that were influenced by him in some way. It’s an interesting look at one of the more distinctly unique American filmmakers to emerge from the past 10 years or so. There’s little question in my mind that he’s almost directly responsible for the explosion of quirky indie dramedies in theatres, and the collection of movies influenced by him could probably include a lot more than 10 entries. Check out the lists below and see if you agree or disagree with the choices.
16 Films Without Which Wes Anderson Couldn’t Have Happened
10 Films That Couldn’t Have Happened Without Wes Anderson
Comments (6)
I love lists like these and I’ve always thought that both The Graduate and Harold & Maude were major influences for Rushmore in particular. I’m suprised they didn’t include ‘The Magnificent Ambersons’ since Anderson has acknowledged that it was a major influence for Tenenbaums.
Speaking of Anderson…I’ve been getting into the podcasts recently and I was wondering if you’ve ever done ‘Wes Anderson vs. Paul Thomas Anderson’ for the versus debate.
If not that may be a good one for the release of ‘There Will be Blood.’ Aside from the same last name they both started their careers around the same time, they’ve made roughly the same amount of films, they have their own group of actors that regularly appear in their films, and they’ve managed to make studio films that they are in complete artistic control of.
Posted by Croft on October 17th, 2007Hey Croft,
That’s a great vs. idea. We’ll have to give that a go in the near future.
Posted by Jay C. on October 17th, 2007Awesome, thanks Jay.
Also it may be a little late but to weigh in on the debate about Wes Anderson’s visual style. But anyways… I’m sort of torn on the issue on one hand I’d like to see him progress and try something different- like Scorsese who has a distinct style but has always challenged himself by experimenting with different visual styles while every once in a while returning to his more classic style. But at the same time I can’t help but feel that he’s not the only director who’s guilty of using the same visual formula repeatedly. I think it’s funny that because he’s created such a unique, original vision that now that same praise he was once getting is now being turned against him. While other directors out there who have a more conventional visual style can go on repeating an aesthetic because their’s is more traditional so it’s not as noticeable. But I guess that he gets that criticism because people like his work so much that when he doesn’t do something great they feel as though he needs some tough love.
I’m not saying that he shouldn’t try new things but I feel as though some of the criticism has been unjust. And agree that it doesn’t help matters that his storylines seem to be getting repetitive.
Lastly, count me in for believing in the theory that Wes Anderson needs to partner with Owen Wilson again, in the writing stage, to improve his work. From what I’ve heard Wilson was the only one who would stand up to Anderson and ground him so to speak. speak.
Posted by Croft on October 17th, 2007Man, when I read the headline I thought this was a FilmJunk original!
I’d hate to think that Squid and the Whale owes its existence to Wes Anderson, but I’d love to think Little Miss Sunshine does. Either might be as true as the other, but Squid and the Whale, in my opinion, transcends any sort of quirky comedy genre made financially viable by W.A.’s movies. I guess maybe I should just be thankful that it ever got made? I’d hate to be so cynical!
To be clear, I think Wes Anderson has his place in modern history, and his movies have been mediocre-to-good, but I think Squid and the Whale is a much better flick than having to owe its existence to him, wether or not it’s true, in my mind I just can’t let that happen or I will have a depression.
Posted by Henrik on October 17th, 2007I’m wondering if anybody reading this would teach me how to spell ‘wether’? I’m sure it’s not ‘weather’ but ‘wether’ definitely seems wrong!
Posted by Henrik on October 17th, 2007How about Wes Anderson vs. Paul Thomas Anderson vs. Paul W.S. Anderson?
Posted by Rian on October 18th, 2007Leave a Reply