Edward Norton says Wes Anderson's film characters are "painfully over-sincere" which makes them instantly loveable.

The actor is starring in the filmmaker's latest offering Moonrise Kingdom as Scout Master Randy Ward. The film - which also stars Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Bruce Willis - follows a pair of young lovers who flee their home town, prompting a local search party.

Edward thinks Wes' film concepts and characters are misunderstood.

“I’ve heard people describe his films as ironic," he told British newspaper The Telegraph.

"But they are the exact opposite of ironic. His characters are so painfully over-sincere they’re lovable – and funny.”

Edward has discussed the film characters in more depth. The star thinks Anderson has a great ability to create on-screen personalities that audiences can identify with.

“I think the adults in the film are less in touch with their emotions than the children at the beginning of the story. They’re having problems because they’re unhappy. Maybe my character is an exception, but I think the adults in the movie wake up because of what the children do," he said.

“Wes has tapped into the way that when you’re that age [12 years old] your emotional life is filled up by things like books and your first crush. Your whole world revolves around fantasies, because you’ve got freedom, time and relative lack of responsibility. I think he captures that really nicely.”