Grand Budapest Hotel...the title of the film says
it all really...
The latest offering from genius auteur, Wes
Anderson, is nothing short of a masterpiece. I have been anticipating this film
for what seems like close to a year.
My history and love of Wes starts with a friend
recommending Rushmore to me, which I loved and immediately sought out Bottle
Rocket. Not long after The Royal Tenenbaums came out and I was in love, and up
until now it remained my favourite of his films. Though Moonrise Kingdom was hot
on its heels and I have a very tender spot of the The Life Aquatic With Steve
Zissou. Look! I love all his films!
It is his curation of sets, attention to detail,
superb casting and unique storytelling that make his films the complete package.
Even his palette and use of colour is utterly unique. I am sure we would be firm
friends...or maybe even more!
And so, Grand Budapest Hotel, his 8th film, set
around this grand hotel in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka. It is a romp and
a caper set over the decades but mostly about when the hotel was at its height,
in between the world wars.
It begins in 'the present' with a young girl
mourning the death of 'the writer' (Tom Wilkinson), moves back to the late 60s
when 'the writer' (now played by Jude Law) is staying at the now dilapidated
hotel and chances upon the elderly owner of the hotel, Zero Moustafa (F. Murray
Abraham), who tells him of how he became the owner of the hotel.
The film then goes back to the 30s when the Hotel
was at its height and where most action takes place. This is a layered film, but
told with stunning ease.
Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), is the suave concierge
of the Grand Budapest Hotel, and Zero (now played Tony Revolori) is the Lobby
Boy. When an elderly patron of the hotel (Tilda Swinton) is murdered, and a rare
renaissance paining is stolen, Gustave is the main suspect. And so like many
caper films, he goes on the run to clear his name, taking Zero along for the
ride.
The cast is nothing short of stunning, also
including Saoirse Ronan, Lea Seydoux, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, Willem
Dafoe,Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, Bob Balaban, and
Jason Schwartzman.
But it is Fiennes and Revolori that shine.
Fiennes is outstanding, with a here to now unseen comic timing and amusing
physicality that was incredibly hilarious. Revolori, young and new to film, is
superb and with perfect delivery. Together they shine, what an unlikely but
fabulous pairing.
There are many 'parts' to the film and whilst it
all blends in smoothly with the film as a whole, they stand out visually in
a way that has became Anderson's visual trademark. The scenes set in the museum
with Goldblum and Dafoe are amusing, dark, wondrous, and grotesque. And the
chase scene in the snow is one of the most thrilling, hilarious, ridiculous, and
perfectly filmed chase scenes I have ever seen.
That is to say the cinematography on this is
superb, and unlike anything I have ever seen. The set design out of this world,
from funiculars, to artworks, to Mendl's bakery and the superb
costumes.
This is a film about movement, the trains, lifts,
funicular, ladders, rooftop jumping, the swing of a coat, or the flick of a
hair, nothing is left to chance.
The attention to detail, as always, is nothing
short of amazing, but even makes all his other films seem like he didn't even
bother...which of course he did, but you get what I am trying to
say!
The script was sharp and witty, poignant and
dark, and the delivery of these words by the actors note perfect, vocally and
visually.
Yes, Perfect, superb and genius pretty much sum
up this magnificent film. It is a 5 star film and one of the most wondrous
experiences I have had in many, many years!!!
I will see it again and it is most certainly my
favourite Wes Anderson film to date.
I only have two concerns, I wanted more, and what
will he do next???
I guess we'll wait and see...
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