Press play on a magazine with “The French Dispatch”

In a 1:3:1 ratio of a poem, three stories, and an obituary; ‘The French Dispatch’ movie brings to life the last edition of its namesake. 

The editor, Arthur Howitzer Jr., mandated that when he died that issue would be the last and it would be his obituary. ‘The French Dispatch’ manages to bring the pages of the magazine to life in only an hour and 48 minutes of run time. 

Although not a perfect re-telling of the magazine or the members of magazine’s staff, the movie was inspired by the real magazine and its writers. 

The first part of the magazine brought to life is a poem called ‘The Cycling Reporter’ by Herbsaint Sazerac and talks about Ennui-sur-Blasé. Ennui-sur-Blasé is a town in France that Herbsaint describes as he bicycles through. 

The town’s past versus its current state is compared by Sazerac as he visits important or interesting sites.

In Ennui-sur-Blasé, an average of eight and a half dead bodies are found dead in the town’s stream and that number didn’t even change with population growth. 

The stores and areas may change but in both its forms the town appears to be dismal. 

The next story shown is the first of three stories told in the magazine. This story called ‘The Concrete Masterpiece’, written by J. K. L. Berensen, paints the picture of the imprisoned and – arguably insane – artist, Rosenthaler; and his prison guard and muse, Simone. 

Rosenthaler was an unrecognized artist before being jailed for two counts of manslaughter, but his art only became famous after an art dealer jailed for tax evasion saw his work. 

As soon as the art dealer leaves, he comes back to buy Rosenthaler’s paintings and so his story begins. 

The second story told is called ‘Revisions to a Manifesto’, written by Lucinda Krementz. 

Her story takes place in Ennui, which is the same dismal town described in the poem at the beginning of the movie. Only now we see the town in chaos during the “Chessboard Revolution”. 

The revolution may sound sophisticated; however, it found its start due to boys not being allowed in the girls’ dorms. Krementz is in Ennui as the revolution happens and struggles to keep journalistic neutrality as she gets closer to the pretty face of the revolution, Zeffirelli. 

The third story called ‘The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner’, written by Roebuck Wright, also happens in Ennui but this time recounts Wright’s own experience with the police and the kidnapping of the Commissaire’s son. 

In the dim and crime ridden streets of Ennui the story follows the kidnapped boy, the kidnappers, the police, and one very dedicated chef. 

Lastly, the obituary for the Editor, Arthur Howitzer Jr., is written by the staff. 

In the telling of the previous stories small flashforwards would show Howitzer working with the writers and how their relationships started and grew. The obituary is really the entire movie and how he works with staff and the passion he had for his magazine. 

In an age with movies that are constantly remakes, sequels or just a little too similar ideas ‘The French Dispatch’ stands out in the best way possible. With its use of color, different aspect ratios, and switches between live action and cartoons ‘The French Dispatch’ lacks any reason to look at your phone or get distracted. 

Although it’s not family friendly, I advise you to gather some friends, sit down and grab some popcorn cause this dispatch isn’t to be missed.