A year after meeting at the 1964 church production of Noye's Fludde, New England 12-year-olds Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward) execute a careful plan to flee their miserable lives. Bullied orphan Sam is supposed to be attending the 'Khaki Scout' summer camp, but when Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) discovers one of his charges is missing he, the island police captain (Bruce Willis) and Suzy's humourless lawyer parents (Frances McDormand and Bill Murray) begin a desperate search.
Just as the youngsters' relationship starts to blossom, the search party rumbles them. While troubled Suzy's father informs her she will never see her sweetheart again, those who once tormented Sam unexpectedly team up to save him from a terrible fate.
Fans of acclaimed auteur Wes Anderson should know what to expect from this sweet, quirky comedy that features regular collaborators Schwartzman and Murray, as well as plenty of his trademark idiosyncrasies.
The ensemble cast is exceptional, but young newcomers Gilman and Hayward are not outshone by the top talent on display.
Anderson's whimsical style is notably suited to this touching exploration of the simple joys and pains of childhood, where imagination and flights of fancy are perfectly at home.
Moonrise Kingdom is a Film programme that first aired in 2012 and has been classified a 12 certificate.
