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American filmmaker Wes Anderson trended on social media after netizens recreated his trademark visual style in thousands of videos: snippets of everyday life shot in perfect symmetries with saturated color palettes. Anderson’s 2021 feature film, “The French Dispatch,” is among the many films that internet users draw inspiration from.
Like any other Anderson film, “The French Dispatch” is a visual feast that tells the story of a group of journalists who work for a newspaper called “The French Dispatch.”
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What Is The French Dispatch About?
Set in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé, “The French Dispatch” focuses on the story of a group of journalists as they work towards the discontinuation of the eponymous newspaper following the death of its editor, Arthur Howitzer Jr.
As a last request, Arthur ordered his best writers to publish a farewell issue that will cover three stories: “The Concrete Masterpiece,” “Revisions to a Manifesto,” and “The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner.” All three stories were told in vignettes throughout the film and showed how the three journalists can’t help but be attached and make themselves part of their respective stories.
“The French Dispatch” premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Who Are in the Cast and Production of The French Dispatch?
Wes Anderson, who is also known for his other works such as “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and “Moonrise Kingdom,” wrote and directed the film. Apart from its prominent director, the film’s cast also boasts a rich roster of Hollywood A-listers including:
- Bill Murray as Arthur Howitzer Jr.
- Tilda Swinton as J.K.L. Berensen
- Frances McDormand as Lucinda Krementz
- Jeffrey Wright as Roebuck Wright
- Adrien Brody as Julian Cadazio
- Timothée Chalamet as Zeffirelli
- Lyna Khoudri as Juliette
- Stephen Park as Ryuichi
- Owen Wilson as Herbsaint Sazerac
- Elisabeth Moss as Juliette’s editor
- Edward Norton as The Narrator
- Willem Dafoe as J.K.L. Berensen’s prisoner
- Saoirse Ronan as Tilda’s student
- Léa Seydoux as Simone
- Christoph Waltz as Boris Schommers
- Benicio Del Toro as Moses Rosenthaler
- Jason Schwartzman as Hermes Jones
What is the Rating for The French Dispatch?
“The French Dispatch” is rated 14A in Canada, which means that the film is suitable for audiences ages 14 or older, as the film contains mature themes, suggestive sexual content, and violence.
How Many People Watch The French Dispatch?
The film grossed $46,333,545 at the worldwide box office.
How Are the Reviews for The French Dispatch?
“The French Dispatch” is well-received by critics for its heartwarming and witty tribute to the craft of journalism. Here’s what they love about the film:
- “In the past, the director has been accused of making overly contrived dollhouse movies, and while he repeats many of his favorite tricks — toying with aspect ratios, centering characters in symmetric compositions, revealing a large building in intricate cross-section — this time it feels as if there’s a full world teeming beyond the carefully controlled edges of the frame,” Variety shared.
- The New Yorker also said, “The French Dispatch” is perhaps Anderson’s best film to date. It is certainly his most accomplished. And, for all its whimsical humor, it is an action film, a great one, although Anderson’s way of displaying action is unlike that of any other filmmaker.”
Where to Watch The French Dispatch in Canada
You can stream “The French Dispatch” on streaming services and video-on-demand platforms in Canada.
Is The French Dispatch Available on Streaming?
Disney Plus
“The French Dispatch” is available to stream on Disney Plus. To access Disney Plus’ content, subscribe to any of the following plans:
- Monthly: CAD$11.99
- Annual: CAD$119.99
Unfortunately, Disney Plus does not offer a free trial to new users. Other shows and movies from Disney, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Star Wars are also available on the platform.
Crave
Alternatively, you can stream “The French Dispatch” on the Canadian streaming service Crave. Subscribe to Crave by availing of any of the following plans:
- Monthly: CAD$9.99
- Annual: CAD$99.99
Content from other networks, such as HBO, Showtime, and Starz are also available on Crave. A 7-day free trial is offered to new users who want to try out the platform without committing to a paid subscription.
Is The French Dispatch Available for Rent (VOD)?
If you missed seeing “The French Dispatch” on the big screen, you can still stream it for rent or purchase it on several video-on-demand services in Canada.
Platforms including Google Play, Cineplex Store, Microsoft Store, YouTube Movies, and Amazon Prime Video offer “The French Dispatch” for rent at CAD$4.99 and CAD$6.99 on Apple TV.
You can also purchase the film on all the mentioned platforms for CAD$24.99.
Is The French Dispatch Available on Cable or Free TV?
“The French Dispatch” has not aired on any cable channel in Canada.
Should I Use a VPN to Watch The French Dispatch?
“The French Dispatch” is readily available in Canada through Crave and Disney Plus, so it is not necessary to use a VPN. However, if you happen to be outside Canadian borders, you can subscribe to a VPN service to stream the movie. Make sure to connect to a server located in Canada, sign up for a Crave subscription, and stream “The French Dispatch.”
A Love Letter to Journalism
“The French Dispatch” is a celebration of the art of the written word. With Anderson’s distinct cinematography, he showcased the different facets of journalism, from investigative reporting to feature writing, with an added layer of charm and wit. Ultimately, the film showed the importance of truthful storytelling, making it a tribute to the tireless work of writers and the vital role they play in society.
Stream “The French Dispatch” on various streaming services and video-on-demand platforms in Canada.
