Wes Anderson's Latest Film: A Critique Of Style Over Substance

Kenji Nakamura

3 min read

Post on May 28, 2025

4.8

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The Undeniable Visual Prowess of Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s mastery of cinematography, set design, and visual storytelling is undeniable. His films are a feast for the eyes, employing recurring visual motifs that have become synonymous with his name.

• The meticulously symmetrical framing, often creating a sense of artificial order contrasting with the chaos of the narrative.
• The distinct, often pastel, color palettes that create a specific mood and atmosphere for each film. Asteroid City utilizes a muted, almost desert-like palette reflective of its setting.
• His use of meticulously detailed sets and props, each element carefully chosen to contribute to the overall aesthetic. The miniature town in Asteroid City exemplifies this.

These visual elements contribute to a unique cinematic language, instantly recognizable and undeniably captivating. However, this stylistic brilliance, while impressive, often overshadows the narrative core.

A Lack of Narrative Depth in Asteroid City

Asteroid City's plot, while intriguing at first glance, ultimately suffers from several narrative flaws. The film's structure, a play within a film, adds layers of complexity but doesn't necessarily add depth to the core story.

• The plot feels somewhat predictable, lacking surprising twists or turns that would keep the audience engaged.
• Several characters feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional, serving more as visual elements than fully realized individuals with compelling inner lives. Their motivations remain unclear, making it difficult to connect with their struggles.
• The film lacks a truly compelling central conflict; the various plot threads seem to exist in isolation rather than converging on a significant thematic exploration.
• The pacing feels uneven, with certain sequences dragging while others feel rushed, undermining the overall narrative flow.

These narrative weaknesses contribute to a sense of thin plot and insufficient character development, leaving the audience wanting more substantial engagement with the story.

The Precedence of Style Over Emotional Resonance

Despite its visual beauty, Asteroid City struggles to evoke genuine emotional resonance. The film's aesthetic, while undeniably striking, often feels detached from the characters' emotional journeys.

• The film relies heavily on its visual appeal, leaving little room for emotional depth or genuine connection with the characters.
• The characters themselves, despite their eccentricities, struggle to elicit empathy or understanding. Their emotional arcs are underdeveloped, hindering audience investment.
• The film’s stylistic choices, while visually stunning, often feel like they detract from, rather than serve, the narrative. The style becomes the focus, overshadowing the substance of the story itself.

This leads to a sense of superficial charm, leaving the audience with a sense of visual satisfaction but without a corresponding emotional payoff.

A Comparison to Previous Works

Compared to previous Wes Anderson films like The Royal Tenenbaums or Moonrise Kingdom, Asteroid City represents a notable shift. While the signature visual style remains, the narrative depth and character development seem less prioritized, leading to a film that feels more concerned with its aesthetic appeal than its storytelling. This stylistic shift may reflect a change in his storytelling approach, possibly signifying a peak or even a decline in his filmmaking depending on one's perspective.

Conclusion

Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City undeniably showcases his unparalleled visual talent. However, the film's prioritization of style over substance results in a visually stunning but narratively unsatisfying experience. The film's beautiful aesthetic ultimately overshadows a thin plot and underdeveloped characters, creating a disconnect between visual appeal and emotional impact. What are your thoughts on the balance of style and substance in Wes Anderson's latest film? Share your critique in the comments below!