Wes Anderson fans assemble! The divisive director – known for cult favourites such as The Grand Budapest Hotel – brings his idiosyncratic storytelling style to four hand-picked Roald Dahl short stories recently released on Netflix. Symmetrical blocking, vintage sets and primary colours abound, spearheaded by immaculately articulate and fast-paced narration from the likes of Dev Patel, Richard Ayoade and Ben Kingsley – strap in and enjoy the ride.
Poison is a damning exploration of human character and how morals and boundaries shift when our lives are not in our hands. The brilliance of the plot lies in the escalating tension as Harry, an Englishman in colonial India, is left paralysed by the threat of a deadly snake asleep on his stomach. It seems obvious that the venom lies in the snake’s fangs, yet the subtlety of the underlying issue may elude those not attuned to the real subject of the narrative: racism. It’s only when the viewer discerns the seething hatred in the impeccably delivered dialogue by Benedict Cumberbatch that the glaring reality becomes apparent, catching everyone off guard. The story highlights the dark depths of human depravity, emphasising that simple acts of kindness and teaching can’t be the sole cure. The antidote to this far crueller venom, it suggests, lies outside the realm of any human Physician
Rupert Friend takes centre stage in The Swan, a devastating tale of young Peter Watson’s encounter with two older bullies. Watson is purity and innocence defined as a gentle boy with an avid interest in birdwatching and an appreciation for natural beauty. In contrast, the two older boys shoot bird after bird until they reach Watson, perched up in a tree above them: a sitting duck. Anderson makes a curious but canny decision not to cast the bullies – we never once see them in the flesh. What follows is a brutal expose of how easily innocence and beauty are crushed by callous ignorance, culminating in a supernatural ending which feels falsely optimistic. While Peter survives the ordeal, we are left wondering what is left of the bright young boy that we, almost as accomplices, were not able to protect.
“Something extremely unpleasant was about to happen, I was sure of that. Something sinister and cruel, but I had to see it now.” The Rat Catcher continues Anderson’s foray into the realm of horror: Ralph Fiennes stars as the ‘rat man,’ called in to snuff out a recent infestation. From his scraggly appearance, uncanny gait and protruding front teeth, it becomes apparent that he is almost equally rat as he is man. Anderson employs mime and stop motion to further blur the lines between creature and man: as one hates or hunts the other, they become more like them. A turning point in the narrative (told by the shrewdly cast Richard Ayoade) brings on an unnerving sense of dread, making the viewer – like the characters – feel all the more compelled to watch. You simply have to see what happens next, no matter how shocking it may be.
The man who could see without seeing. Yet, his true sight was found at the end of his life with a ‘surprising’ turn of events. The Wonderful Life of Henry Sugar is by far the longest of the four short films, but you wouldn’t know it thanks to its fast-paced narration and revolving sets. Sugar’s pursuit of greed unfolds with a twist, akin to the perfect blend of sugar in a drink – leaving a legacy that’s not only sweet but compelling. Thus, the viewer is exhorted to the evident morals of self-growth and self-sacrifice. It is undoubtedly the most uplifting of the four tales, yet one is left to wonder: how can we be encouraged to give generously when we haven’t encountered the extraordinary gifts that embellished Sugar’s journey —a tale where receiving much naturally begets a willingness to give much?
‘Yeah…I mean, roughly‘ was Wes Anderson’s response to the question of if he believed in God. Simple but packed with sharp insights into human nature – much like a Biblical parable – these tales highlight the ambiguity of human morals. But morals aside, this collection is a unique and fascinating watch – you won’t have seen anything quite like it.