Reviewer: Mike Welsch
Rating: 3.5/4 Director: Wes Anderson Writer: Wes Anderson Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Saoirse Ronan, Ed Norton There is a lot to be said about The Grand Budapest Hotel. For starters, it is weird. It's the kind of weird where you recognize that it's weird but you can't help but be intrigued and captivated by it at the same time. Sort of like 90s Weird Al Yankovic. That dude was weird and yet everyone knew the lyrics to Amish Paradise. Indeed, this film is rich in satire that tilts your head and drops an eyebrow while bringing you to laughter filled with uncertainty; its artistic license, however, is certainly one to be reckoned with. Wes Anderson is otherwise known for his unique style of filming, using old-fashioned and noticeably artificial sets and techniques to leave his audience caught off guard but eager for more. In this particular film, he uses techniques that play with the viewer's perspective in a given frame and reveal an entirely different perspective soon thereafter to add plot depth as well as situational irony (Not to mention an incredible acting performance by none other than Voldemort himself!) Jokes aside, Ralph Fiennes is a very established actor and he portrays his role as M. Gustave perfectly, in my opinion. The film is organized into five Parts and includes a Prologue and Epilogue which set the story's mood. It accounts the early years of a lobby boy who worked for a lavish hotel concierge, M. Gustave, at The Grand Budapest Hotel located in the fictional alpine state of Zubrowka. Through a series of unfortunate events, the two find themselves in the chase of a lifetime to protect an invaluable painting, Boy With Apple, while fleeing from a crazed assassin during a dizzying attempt to clear Gustave's name of all legal implications surrounding the mysterious death and lost property of his deceased lover, Madame D. To save time, I will abstain from detailed summarization and trust that you will see the film yourself if you have not already done so. In total, if you enjoy sophisticated humor, this movie is for you. The Grand Budapest Hotel is packed with refined dialogue that makes you think and chuckle at the same time. A combination of baroque surroundings and quirky characters demonstrates Anderson's skill in using flamboyant visual environments to explore deeply emotional ideas. What else, there are plenty of celebrity cameos in this film and who doesn't love a good cameo? Go check out the movie and I hope you enjoy it!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors:Pat Brennan: Recent Film grad from Temple University with a love for all aspects of film. David Fincher for life. Archives:
November 2016
|