DVD Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel

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Why does Wes Anderson hate animals so much?

Seriously, is there some sort of inside joke I'm missing? What's with all the animal death in his films? It's not like it's overly graphic, but it's just one of the many repetitive things I notice.

The Grand Budapest Hotel opens with a writer (Jude Law) staying and said hotel and starting up a conversation with Mr. Moustafa. (F. Murray Abraham) He tells him the story of how he came to acquire this hotel, long ago when he was just a bell boy named Zero (Tony Revolori) and took orders from the eccentric concierge M. Gustave. (Ralph Fiennes)

Here's the thing, this film is actually very sloppy. So many parts of it feel random and ridiculous, but it still manages to be amusing amidst all this dumb fuckery. That might sound like I didn't care for it. I did, I enjoyed the whole thing, but I have to point that out.

Fiennes and Revolori have good chemistry, and plenty of other great actors show up briefly. Saoirse Ronan as Zero's love interest. Willem DeFoe playing a very Willem DeFoe type character. Adrian Brody, who's first line made me go "I can't believe he just said that." Harvey Keitel, who took me a good 20 minutes to finally figure out it was him. Edward Norton. Lea Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzmen, and plenty of other Wes Anderson regulars. 

This isn't the strongest of Anderson's work, but it has his signature look and feel and still manages to be a good watch.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "Don't flirt with her." - Zero (Tony Revolori)

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 31, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    I'm actually with you on all of this, even though I rated it a tad higher. It is sloppy, and is not as deep or as focused as Anderson's better work...and yet, I was so blown away by Fiennes that I can't help but love this a little more than I probably should.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJuly 31, 2014 at 9:01 AM

      Thank you! I agree 100% I liked it way more than I probably should too.

      Delete
  2. .July 31, 2014 at 9:01 AM

    I really couldn't get into this film. All of the visual aspects were really nice, but everything else was just not working for me.
    I'm happy you enjoyed it though! Have you seen all of his films?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 1, 2014 at 7:41 AM

      Most of them, I think. Moonrise Kingdom is my favorite.

      Delete
  3. asrap virtuosoJuly 31, 2014 at 9:48 AM

    I enjoyed this although I agree it isn't Anderson's best work. I'm glad Tony Revolori was still able to shine despite being surrounded by all those great actors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 1, 2014 at 7:40 AM

      He was great, I hope he has a bright future in film.

      Delete
  4. Akbar SaputraJuly 31, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    This is the best films I've seen in 2014 so far. And lol I missed that too: does Wes hate animals? Is it some kinds of inside jokes? :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 1, 2014 at 7:40 AM

      I actually googled it, and I'm pretty sure he just hates them. lol

      Delete
  5. Candice FrederickJuly 31, 2014 at 10:09 PM

    i do think the chemistry is good, but the randomness is just overbearing. anderson is just so hard for me to take.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 1, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      He definitely can be. I didn't care for The Royal Tenenbaums or Rushmore.

      Delete
  6. NikaAugust 1, 2014 at 1:13 AM

    I liked it very much. In the sense of humor, it was slightly better than Moonrise Kingdom and of course, visuals were stunning. I think, Fiennes has some good chances for award season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 1, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      I think the release day might affect this one come awards season. Moonrise Kingdom was far better in my opinion, but then again, that's my favorite of his.

      Delete
  7. s.August 1, 2014 at 2:32 AM

    I actually liked this one, which is surprising considering I normally loathe his pretentious drivel. The animal thing is just awful. I wish someone threw him out the window.

    Brody was hysterical.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownAugust 1, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    I really enjoyed this, but you're right -- the plot wasn't very focused. Oh well, I'd happily spend a couple of hours watching Ralph Fiennes in anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 1, 2014 at 7:37 AM

      As do I. Ralph Fiennes is usually always worth it. (except in The Invisible Woman because omg that movie was horrible)

      Delete
  9. msmariahAugust 1, 2014 at 10:19 AM

    You know I've been wondering about Wes Anderson and his issues with animals. I'm not a fan of his.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dan HeatonAugust 1, 2014 at 11:15 PM

    I love the look of this movie and think it's one of Wes Anderson's most visually stunning films. On the other hand, I agree that it's sloppy too. The death of the cat was also just odd.

    This is one of the better movies that I've seen released this year, but it's more forgettable than I expected. It's behind his top tier for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 2, 2014 at 6:34 AM

      I think you're right about the visuals. I'm having a hard time trying to remember a film of his that looked more stylish than this.

      Delete
  11. Eric @ The Warning SignAugust 2, 2014 at 12:54 PM

    I'm with you on this one. I liked it well enough, but I'm surprised that so many people went nuts about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 3, 2014 at 9:41 AM

      Yeah, I can see why hardcore Wes fans would adore it, and it wasn't bad, but it's no Moonrise Kingdom for me.

      Delete
  12. ruthAugust 4, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    Yeah, when I saw what happened to the cat I was like, man not again!! I enjoyed this movie though, perhaps one of my faves from Wes so far. I guess the faster pace helps and the color scheme is just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 4, 2014 at 4:03 PM

      The color scheme was definitely gorgeous and bright.

      Delete
  13. UnknownAugust 5, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    I thought this was a fun watch as well, but his other films are so much better so I was disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 6, 2014 at 6:43 AM

      I liked Moonrise, Darjeerling, and Life Aquatic better than this one. It's in the middle for me.

      Delete

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