If life is like a box of chocolates then Wes Anderson is the Cherry Ripe and his latest film comes with an assortment of stories and characters all making their deadlines for the final edition of fictional newspaper, the French Dispatch.
There's the arts section with Benicio del Toro's celebrated homicidal artist whose art is not for sale.
There's student anarchy from the charming Timothee Chalamet, muse to the marvellous Frances McDormand.
The food section, the travel section, local news - it's all here and all meticulously rendered for the big screen through the lens of Anderson's unique eye and ear.
As always, there are surprises and truly memorable moments and like all short story collections you may leave with personal favourites - I have several.
What I was left wanting was more heart and connectivity to the film as a whole.
But I simply loved being in the company of all these characters for a few hours.
Four stars.
