THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Movie Review - Wes Anderson Perfection
I know that Wes Anderson's movies aren't for everyone. The style and humor are a little more offbeat than the casual moviegoer is used to, but I really wish more people would give him a chance. If anyone has never seen an Anderson film and is willing to try him out, then The Grand Budapest Hotel is the perfect movie to start them on their journey. After they watch this I don't know how they wouldn't want to watch the rest of the films that he has made.
This is the director's eighth film, and it was truly a charming and touching adventure. I respect and admire what the director did in telling this slice of life story which follows a character named Gustav H (Fiennes). It takes place during a time when he is the concierge at the famous European hotel along with his Lobby Boy Zero Moustafa, who eventually becomes his best and most trusted friend. Together they get involved in the theft of a priceless Renaissance painting called Boy With Apple that was left to him in a will to him by an old friend and lover. This sets in motion battle between him and the woman's family for the fortune she left behind. That's just a brief overview of what is going on, but I don't want to spoil all the fun. There are so many more layers to the story that audiences are going to love.
What made the movie even better is its ensemble cast which includes Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody,Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Own Wilson, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, and Mathieu Amalric. Everyone was absolutely fantastic, but I think Fiennes gives one of the best performances of his career in this movie. He was hilarious, and I would love to see him do more comedies.
For those of you who are familiar with Anderson, his signature colorful style of storytelling is in full force. What makes this movie stand out above the rest is its incredibly fantastic and complex caper story. I loved it, and it was packed full of extremely entertaining scenes and hilarious situations. I found myself laughing all the way through the film. It was hard to pinpoint my favorite scene because there wasn't a scene in this film that I didn't enjoy. This was really a perfectly told story. But three scenes in particular stick out. One was the best prison escape sequence I've ever seen. The other two were a ski and sled chase on a snow slope obstacle course and a huge shoot out, both of which were ridiculously entertaining.
Right after I finished watching this movie I was ready to watch it again, and I will watch it again. I'll most likely watch it multiple times, just like I have all of Anderson's other films. I have to recommend this movie to everyone, even if you're not a fan of the films Anderson makes. Just chech itout , and I promise you won't be disappointed. There are so many reasons for you to see this movie, but if I were to point out two of the biggest, they would be Fiennes and the prison break sequence.
Anderson did it again! The Grand Budapest Hotel might just be his best movie yet! I absolutely loved what he did with this movie. Anderson is such an amazingly talented storyteller, and as long as he keeps making his movies, I will be a happy man.