As part of my Film Studies work this year, I'm studying Wes Anderson as an auteur.

My primary focus film is The Life Aquatic, using Bottle Rocket and The Darjeeling Limited as reference points. Using these films I'll be able to chart Anderson's developing of the themes and stylistic choices that make him easily an identifiable director.

Part of my study has to include research that I've done personally, for example a post on a forum, using replies as part of my research.

Therefore I'd like your opinions on Wes Anderson as an auteur:

Would you agree he is?
Why?
What attracts you to Anderson's films?
Etc.

Thanks a lot,
Jack Lusby

I agree to an extent. It certainly isn't cut & dry though. When labeling Wes as an auteur you're giving him too much credit. Take into consideration that Owen Wilson has been involved in some aspect with every one of Wes' films, from the Bottle Rocket short to Fantastic Mr. Fox. He's co-written Wes' first three films as well as the Bottle Rocket short and most critics seem to think these three are his best and The Life Aquatic and The Darjeeling Limited are limp imitations of his (and Wilson's) earlier work. Maybe this is because Owen has not contributed to the scripts since The Royal Tenenbaums. (see also: Noah Baumbach). He's also used Robert Yeoman since the Bottle Rocket feature and certainly Yeoman contributes to Wes' visual style. His reuse of actors in his films is another good example of this. (i.e. Bill Murray)

Wes may be an auteur but he certainly isn't a lone wolf. He's much more like the figurehead for a small artistic collective he brought together.