The Maldonado Mansion

Author(s): Adam
Location: TX

"The Maldonado Mansion"

Directed by WES ANDERSON
Written by WES ANDERSON & OWEN WILSON
Produced by WES ANDERSON, SCOTT RUDIN & OWEN WILSON

Main Cast
ADRIEN BRODY as Roger Happenstance
BEN KINGSLEY as General Fernando Maldonado
JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Samuel Kerouac
OWEN WILSON as Archibald "Archie" McClendon
LUKE WILSON as Nick Dallas
BILL MURRAY as Professor Frederick Littleton
ALICE BRAGA as Myra Maldonado
ANGELICA HUSTON as Isabel Maldonado
SEYMOUR CASSEL as Dr. Pierre Validante
DIEGO LUNA as Aldo Maldonado
WILLEM DAFOE as General Agustin Maldonado

Tagline: "Life goes by you fast. Revolutionize it"

Synopsis: A new dramatic comedy from Wes Anderson.After years without communication, former college friends Roger Happenstance, Samuel Kerouac, Archibald McClendon and Nick Dallas have reunited on a trip in Latin America to meet their former professor Frederick Littleton. Things have changed a lot for the friends since college. Roger has always had compulsive habits for which he refuses to seek treatment. He demands increasingly to complete rituals and routines that will cause him to breakdown if not performed. Seymour, now a journalist, has been struggling to find a good story after his latest article on unethical practices within an independently owned soap business caused a stir with his magazine when the business was forced to close its doors. Archibald, a "freedom fighter against corporate America" in his own mind, has fled the United States as a fugitive after attempting to destroy the corporate office of a company he believes was partly responsible for his own business going under. Nick has increasingly become a hypochondriac after being cleared from a contamination scare at the factory where he previously worked. The four have taken this trip to get away from their current places in life and open their minds for a period of time.While on board a private commuter plane with Professor Littleton, they become stranded after the plane is forced to make an emergency landing to prevent being shot at by guerrillas watching no-fly zones. Where they end up is a fictional nation called Villapaz, a tiny country divided by a civil war between two conflicting generals. They are driven to the capital city where they will temporarily stay. Upon arriving in the city, Nick saves the life of a young lady from being hit by a car driven by crazed man attempting an assassination. She turns out to be Myra Maldonado, daughter of General Fernando Maldonado, the determined leader of the nation's leftist army. He is a man fighting for the common good of the people against his iron-fisted dictator younger brother, General Agustin Maldonado, leader of the right-side army. As a result of Nick's brave act, the men are invited to stay at the Maldonado Mansion as a sign of gratitude. Upon arriving, they meet the General, his wife Isabel, his son Aldo, an aspiring soccer player looking to turn away from the war, and the live-in family doctor, Pierre Validante, a Frenchman who is well acquainted with the family. They all become increasingly fond of Maldonado and his family and find things about him to admire. But matters become tough for everyone when they each face their own personal trials. Nick becomes increasingly attracted to Myra while it angers Aldo, given his protectiveness of his sister. A rift is also caused between Seymour, Archibald and Nick when it is learned that Seymour's article was about Archibald's business and Nick was working in one of Archibald's factories during its scare. Their lack of communication over the years caused them to be in the dark about the connections. The General's battle also becomes increasingly personal when Aldo is killed in a raid of the mansion by the opposing side. It is also discovered that Archibald was kidnapped during the event. Now, the remaining friends must put their personal conflicts with each other and themselves aside and participate in a rescue of Archibald. They begin to realize that the experiences they are having are bringing them closer together and allowing them to let go of everything holding them back in their lives. In a traditional Wes Anderson sense, the film combines elements of drama and comedy with a unique visual style, along with themes of family, friendship and self-discovery.

What the Press would say:
Wes Anderson has made a name for himself as an innovative filmmaker. With The Maldonado Mansion, he has truly outdone himself in a great way. It has become obvious that he progresses with each film, while sticking to his usual guns. He aims to entertain you with something new, and at the same time stay true to his own style. Since Bottle Rocket, each film he has made tackles a bigger setting and a more epic story. With The Maldonado Mansion, we are taken into a bigger world. Each of his progressions in film has been obvious from the fact that the bigger his ideas get, the bigger the stories are. We have every element here for an Anderson film. Unique characters with their own personal dilemmas, families dealing with the their personal surroundings, personal tragedy, and an excellent setting. Its the setting and conflict that have progressed here. We are taken into Anderson's most epic scenario. This is on par with the revenge-driven marine biologist, three brothers having a spiritual experience and the dysfunctional family being brought together by a lie. Yet, its so much more epic when its surrounded by a civil war in a fictional country. What makes so perfect, is thats not a war film at all. There are no detailed battle scenes or high flying bullet scenarios. Its all about the characters and their stories. Its funny and charming, yet at the same time its emotional and touching. The Owen Wilson rescue sequence is perfect. Its not action-packed or intense, its simply well-crafted with a charming touch. Anderson's continued use of slow-motion walking sequences backed by the perfect use of classic rock continues to flourish even here. This time, along with the familiar garage rock and Mark Mothersbaugh score, we are treated to a flavored touch of Latin music and classical Spanish guitar. The cherry on the treat.""Of the film's large and superb cast, there are two standouts, the opposing characters played by Willem Dafoe and Ben Kingsley. They are two actors playing two characters whom are direly different, yet meet in a combines chemistry. You see the likeness between them, yet also recognize their differences. Each steal their screen time, with wonderful performance precision and when the characters meet face to face on screen for the first time, the fireworks go off. A glorious moment representing the power of film characters.""Another phenomenal work of writing and the perfect reunion for Anderson and Wilson who have not worked together in the writing department since The Royal Tenenbaums. A sharp, smart and humorous script defining the classic dry style of Anderson's greatest works. It never tries too hard and succeeds time after time."

FYC
BEST PICTURE (Musical/Comedy)
BEST DIRECTOR- Wes Anderson
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY- Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- Ben Kingsley
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- Willem Dafoe
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST FILM EDITING
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE