Jeff Goldblum’s favourite Wes Anderson movies: “All different in my family of enjoyable”
He might be in his fifth decade of show business and have starred in some of the highest-grossing films of his generation, Jurassic Park and Independence Day, but Jeff Goldblum might well be beloved more for his eccentric personality than his acting chops. There’s no doubt the man can act, but his unique cadence, kooky humour and aloof presence set him apart from Hollywood’s other straight-laced leading men.
So, in hindsight, it seems somewhat inevitable that the actor has become a permanent fixture in Wes Anderson’s unique cinematic universe. After all, his idiosyncrasies seem tailor-made for the carefully curated and whimsical world of Anderson. First working together on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Goldblum and Anderson have now been working together for 20 years, with the actor joining the likes of Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Angelica Houston and the Wilson brothers on the director’s list of frequent collaborators.
It’s obvious then that the director has a soft spot for the oddball actor, but the question is: is it a two-way street? Is Jeff fond of not only the Anderson films he appears in but the auteur’s work in general? The answer, of course, is a big, resounding yes. “He’s, of course, brilliant. He’s a genius. He’s an artist and a real master who has devoted himself to this life of creative endeavours like this. A real student he is. And teacher of cinema. So he’s a great teacher.”
And, so, which Anderson films happen to be his favourite? “They’re all different in my family of enjoyable… Oh, I’m a fan of every single one,” the actor explains in his usual quirky way. Of course, he has a “special nostalgic fondness” for the four films he has starred in: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs and Asteroid City. Adding, “I have a… closeness to them. I know all the goings on, and I remember what I was doing that day, and I love all the people in them.”
Aside from those, he has a soft spot for Rushmore due to its incredible ensemble cast, “I love Jason Schwartzman. Knowing Jason a little bit, he’s particularly delightful and the two of them working together, and Bill Murray, knowing him a little bit – I’m starstruck by the whole outfit. And I love that movie”. According to the actor, he can’t click past it without watching. Then come all the others, “The Royal Tenenbaums I love. I love Fantastic Mr. Fox, and I loved Moonrise Kingdom.”
The latter film seems to have captured the heart of the actor especially, which isn’t a surprise as he seems to wear it loosely on his sleeve: “I was very touched by it and enchanted by it. I thought it was absolutely beautiful.” There is clearly something about Anderon’s tender, gentle and authentic vision that resonates with Goldblum. Perhaps the eccentric yet passionate characters and oddly romantic dialogue are in many ways familiar to the veteran actor.
Whatever it is, it’s safe to say that audiences everywhere are hopeful that the collaboration continues. Goldblum might be in his 70s but he shows no sign of stopping, while the director currently has two projects on the way.
