If any director's films can be said to have been production designed within an inch of their lives, it's the films of Wes Anderson. His first film Bottle Rocket hinted at his knack for well ordered compositions, but it was his second feature Rushmore which really set him apart from the crowd as a director with a distinctive visual style. Since then, he's become something of a cinematic legend, utilizing a palette more distinct and recognizable than many other directors. Filmed entirely on location in Germany and starring Ralph Fiennes in one of his finest roles yet as the devoted concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, it seems as if Anderson has taken his OCT-like production design and composition to new heights. The titular hotel is envisioned in an almost dreamlike manner (and Alexandre Desplat's incredible score certainly seems to accentuate a fairy tale-like quality to the setting), while Anderson slips from one aspect ratio to another depending on the timeline. Pastel pinks and vibrant lilacs splatter the screen, not an inch of which is wasted. It's not just one of the most visually stunning films of this year - it's perhaps Anderson's finest film yet. Which other visually stunning films have impressed you so far this year? Why not post a comment below and let us know?
