REVIEW: The Grand Budapest Hotel

MOVIE
The Grand Budapest Hotel

CAST
Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori

RATING
R

RELEASE
March 7, 2014 (LIMITED)

DIRECTOR
Wes Anderson

STUDIO
Fox Searchlight Pictures

RUNNING TIME
1 hour 39 minutes






STARS
****








REVIEW:

To say that Wes Anderson's style of film-making is unique is merely an understatement.  From films like "The Royal Tennenbaums" to more recent fare like "Moonrise Kingdom," Anderson has shown his distinct style to the general masses, and the overall response is pretty positive.  In his latest directorial effort "The Grand Budapest Hotel," Anderson gives audiences his most inventive and possibly his most ambitious project to date.  And at the same time, it's also the best movie he's made in his nearly 20 year long career.  "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is wacky, shocking, hilarious, and the must see indie release out there right now.

The year is 1932, and Monsieur Gustave H. is the head concierge of The Grand Budapest Hotel.  Joining the staff of the prestigious hotel as a Junior Lobby Boy is a young immigrant by the name of Zero Moustafa.  Gustave is best known by all as the man that all of the elderly women who reside at the hotel swoon over, so much so that many of the ladies are in love with him.  Gustave happens to take a particular interest in Madame D., who has just been found murdered in her home.  In her last will, Madame D. left Gustave a prestigious and priceless painting known as "Boy With Apple," which enrages her son Dmitri and causes him to believe that Gustave murdered Madame D.  Ensuing after that is an uproarious, bonkers, and crazy madcap adventure of laughs, shocking moments, and some incredible performances.

So many actors shine brightly in this movie that it's almost hard to remember all of those who are in it.  However there can only be a select group of actors who steal the show, and in the case of this movie, the show-stealers are Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori.  Both actors give hilarious and just flat out entertaining performances that are so hard not to love watching.  Other actors who perform exceedingly well include Adrian Brody, Willem Dafoe, and Jeff Goldblum, who are all equally fantastic and equally hilarious as well.  Many of the other actors, like Bill Murray and Owen Wilson, have relatively small roles; but they're still incredibly entertaining when they are on screen.  No bad performance is present here, however the two actors you'll be talking about with those around you once the film ends Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori.

Wes Anderson's style has always been quite unique, and it is only further shown in this film.  From the ever-changing aspect ratios to the incredible set designs, Anderson has a very distinct and gorgeous way of looking at the world.  Every one of his films only brings us further and further into his psyche, and I love being able to constantly explore it.  Plus, the script is also very unique in terms of its dialogue, it's shockingly dark ways of moving the story along, and the way the story itself is being told. Think of "Inception," but the dream worlds are represented as different time periods in this flick.  If you're not a fan of Anderson's style, then you may not like this movie.  If you do, though, then you are in for one hell of a movie experience.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel" is unlike any movie Wes Anderson has done in his career, and that's mainly because of how ambitious it is in terms of its storytelling techniques.  This is one of those films that will appeal to those who seek a darkly comedic, off beat, and insanely quirky movie, aka a fan of Wes Anderson's movies.  If you're looking for the movie that will make you a fan of Anderson's work, I'm not sure that this is the one to bring you in, as it is very weird and quirky throughout the 99 minute runtime.  However, if you're willing to take the chance and experience this flick on the big screen, then you may be in for one hell of a treat.  "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is a dark, off beat, hilarious, and ambitious movie that I haven't been able to stop thinking about ever since it ended.  This is definitely my favorite Wes Anderson movie so far, and I cannot wait to see what his strange and quirky little mind thinks up next.





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