Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch (2021) is a meticulously crafted love letter to journalism, storytelling, and the charm of mid-20th-century France. It’s quirky, deeply stylized, and unapologetically “Andersonian,” blending humor, melancholy, and nostalgia into a cinematic magazine come to life.
Detailed Summary
The Concept: A Magazine Brought to Life
The film is presented as an anthology — essentially the final issue of The French Dispatch, a fictional supplement to the Kansas-based newspaper Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun. Following the death of its founder and editor-in-chief, Arthur Howitzer Jr. (played by Bill Murray), the staff prepares one final edition in his honor.
The film’s structure mirrors the magazine’s layout, with an introduction, three feature stories, and an obituary — each segment directed with unique visual flair and tone.
The Setting: Ennui-sur-Blasé
Set in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé (“Boredom-on-Blasé” — Anderson’s humor at its driest), the movie explores the lives of eccentric writers and their equally odd subjects. The streets, cafés, and prisons of Ennui are filled with literary flair and absurdist beauty, resembling a miniature diorama of French culture.
The Three Main Stories
1. “The Concrete Masterpiece”
Written by art correspondent J.K.L. Berensen (Tilda Swinton), this story follows Moses Rosenthaler (Benicio del Toro), a violent but gifted painter imprisoned for murder. His muse is Simone (Léa Seydoux), a prison guard who poses nude for his abstract paintings.
Rosenthaler’s work catches the eye of art dealer Julien Cadazio (Adrien Brody), who becomes obsessed with promoting the prisoner’s art to the outside world. The result is a hilarious yet insightful satire of the modern art industry, greed, and the commodification of genius.
2. “Revisions to a Manifesto”
This piece, written by political journalist Lucinda Krementz (Frances McDormand), chronicles a student revolution led by Zeffirelli (Timothée Chalamet) and Juliette (Lyna Khoudri).
Set in the 1960s, this section mixes intellectual rebellion, sexual tension, and dry political commentary. Krementz, who becomes both mentor and lover to Zeffirelli, documents the chaos of idealistic youth with ironic detachment. The segment parodies French New Wave cinema and revolutionary romanticism, complete with black-and-white cinematography and deadpan wit.
3. “The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner”
The final story, penned by food journalist Roebuck Wright (Jeffrey Wright), is perhaps the most emotional and complex of the three. Wright recounts his experience attending a police commissioner’s dinner, only to become entangled in a kidnapping plot involving the commissioner’s son.
A surreal mix of action, culinary writing, and heartfelt reflection, this section explores memory, exile, and belonging. Wright’s monologue (delivered with poetic melancholy) ties together Anderson’s themes of love, art, and the transient beauty of storytelling.
Movie Ending
The film concludes with the death of Arthur Howitzer Jr., the beloved editor. His passing marks the end of The French Dispatch itself. The final scenes show the staff working together to write his obituary, reflecting on his wisdom, kindness, and eccentric leadership style.
In the last moments, the journalists — each representing a different kind of writer or dreamer — gather around Howitzer’s desk, finishing the final issue. It’s a quiet, tender farewell not only to their editor but to the era of journalism he represented.
The tone is both mournful and hopeful — an ode to the craft of storytelling and to those who dedicate their lives to chronicling the strange, beautiful mess of human existence.
No loose ends are left hanging: each story feels complete, and the ending ties the anthology together through its emotional core — the love of writing itself.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The French Dispatch does not have any post-credits scenes. However, the end credits themselves feature sketches, production art, and snippets of Anderson’s distinctive set design — worth staying for if you appreciate the artistry.
Type of Movie
This is a comedy-drama anthology film with strong elements of satire and romance, wrapped in Wes Anderson’s trademark aesthetic — symmetrical compositions, pastel color palettes, and witty, deadpan dialogue.
Cast
- Bill Murray as Arthur Howitzer Jr.
- Owen Wilson as Herbsaint Sazerac
- Tilda Swinton as J.K.L. Berensen
- Benicio del Toro as Moses Rosenthaler
- Léa Seydoux as Simone
- Adrien Brody as Julien Cadazio
- Frances McDormand as Lucinda Krementz
- Timothée Chalamet as Zeffirelli
- Jeffrey Wright as Roebuck Wright
- Lyna Khoudri, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Christoph Waltz, Anjelica Huston (narrator), and others
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, who is a frequent collaborator with Wes Anderson. His music perfectly complements the director’s intricate visuals — blending whimsical melodies, French jazz, and nostalgic orchestral pieces.
Filming Locations
The film was shot in Angoulême, France, a small town chosen for its preserved mid-century architecture. Anderson transformed its streets into the fictional Ennui-sur-Blasé. The setting isn’t just a backdrop — it’s integral to the film’s texture, embodying the romanticized vision of post-war France and the soul of European journalism.
Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards (Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup & Hair)
- Nominated for multiple Critics’ Choice and Satellite Awards
- Featured in numerous critics’ “Top 10 Films of 2021” lists
While not a major awards sweeper, it was widely praised for its craftsmanship and visual artistry.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Wes Anderson built an entire mini-city for the film, shooting in real French locations rather than using green screens.
- The film’s cast lived together during production, creating a real “editorial family” atmosphere similar to the fictional newsroom.
- The director wrote much of the script as a tribute to his favorite publications, including The New Yorker.
- Many characters are based on real-life journalists, such as James Baldwin and Mavis Gallant.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by The New Yorker magazine, particularly its mid-century contributors.
- Lucinda Krementz is loosely based on journalist Mavis Gallant.
- Roebuck Wright draws inspiration from James Baldwin and A.J. Liebling.
- The film also reflects Anderson’s lifelong love for French cinema and literature.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Wes Anderson mentioned in interviews that some shorter character vignettes were filmed but removed to maintain pacing. None of the major storylines had alternate endings; however, there was a longer introduction narrated by Owen Wilson that was trimmed.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While not directly adapted from a book, The French Dispatch was later turned into a film companion book, containing the screenplay, concept art, and essays expanding on the stories. It remains an original creation inspired by real journalistic voices rather than a direct literary adaptation.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening montage of The French Dispatch office — showing the chaotic beauty of a newsroom at work.
- Simone posing for Rosenthaler inside the prison studio.
- The rooftop chess match between Zeffirelli and Juliette during the student revolt.
- Roebuck Wright’s emotional TV interview recounting the kidnapping plot.
Iconic Quotes
- Arthur Howitzer Jr.: “Try to make it sound like you wrote it that way on purpose.”
- Lucinda Krementz: “I never correct my mistakes. I just write around them.”
- Roebuck Wright: “The food was good, and the company better.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Each article’s title page is styled like a real magazine layout.
- The newsroom walls feature vintage New Yorker-style cartoons.
- In the background, the clocks all show different times — symbolizing the timelessness of journalism.
- The fictional town’s name, Ennui-sur-Blasé, literally translates to “Boredom-on-Boredom,” a self-aware joke about French art cinema.
Trivia
- This is Wes Anderson’s 10th feature film.
- Shot entirely in 35mm for a painterly, tactile texture.
- The set for The French Dispatch office took over 9 months to build.
- The cast included over 200 actors from more than 10 countries.
Why Watch?
Watch The French Dispatch if you love:
- Wes Anderson’s distinct style and world-building
- Intelligent humor wrapped in exquisite visuals
- Anthology storytelling with literary depth
- Films that celebrate the power of words, art, and creativity
Director’s Other Movies
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
- Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
- The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
- Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
- Isle of Dogs (2018)
- Asteroid City (2023)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
- Midnight in Paris (2011)
- Amélie (2001)
- Birdman (2014)
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
- The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
