How does one begin to review a Wes Anderson film? Much to the despair of my friends, I have not seen many of his films. Recently I acquiesced to their persistent desire for me to see The Grand Budapest Hotel. I had to watch it on my laptop, but I'm saving the projector for Moonrise Kingdom.I love movies that are not comedies, yet humor can be found in nearly every scene. The blank faces, the strange characters of Dmitri, Gustave, and Zero, they all contribute to this overall unbelievable setting. Gustave H is this renowned hotel manager who has all these lovers. When one dies, she leaves behind this painting- an act that outrages the family and sole heir (Dmitri). Gustave steals the painting, is arrested, escapes prison, and makes his way back to the Budapest with the help of Zero, who is basically his successor in the line of hotel managers. A lot of other stuff happens, but eventually a second will is found that leaves all of Madame D.'s fortune to Gustave (along with the Budapest).
My favorite scenes are of Zero running. Any scene where someone runs is funny, really. Also, when Dmitri is shooting Gustave's "candy ass" and everyone ends up shooting at each other. Then Bill Murray comes onto the scene and everything is better. I really liked how they channeled the role of the hotel manager into the movie. It is a stereotype that somehow adds to the unique quality of the film. Everything is quick and I just don't really know how to describe it. I think I'd watch anything with Adrien Brody, though I do think Ralph Fiennes is underrated (I wish more people had seen Coriolanus). Hopefully Moonrise Kingdom will be outside this weekend. Annie was on when I got up this morning and it really just made my day.
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