"The Grand Budapest Hotel" one of Anderson's grandest, funniest tales
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| Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori |
Part oddball comedy, part murder mystery and part Benny Hill, the hilarious new Wes Anderson ("Moonrise Kingdom") film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is one of his most silly, with winning, funny performances from a large ensemble cast. The movie recounts the adventures of Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes) , a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel, and Zero Moustafa (newcomer Tony Revolori), the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend as they weave their way through the battle of a priceless painting and family fortune following the mysterious murder of a rich matriarch (Tilda Swinton). Written, directed and produced by Anderson, one of cinema's most unconventional filmmakers, the charmingly witty and odd "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is filled with Anderson's quirky, hip style mixed with zany British humor on a more lavish, colorful palette and extensive cast. Anderson's unique style comes alive here and moves at a fast, fun pace told in quick segments that build on each other, with memorable performances, lovely sets (all filmed in Germany) and a complementary stringy score from Alexander Desplat that shows quite a change for the director who started with the low-budget "Bottle Rocket." Of the unnecessarily large cast, the most memorable include Fiennes, who is at his most witty in the lead, aided with warm chemistry with Revolori, in his debut film, along with Swinton in a tiny but crucial role that finds her unrecognizable under a load of makeup, as well as Willem Dafoe, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton, and Jude Law (not to mention a wickedly funny and near-unrecognizable Harvey Keitel in the film's funniest extended cameo). Anderson's overly ambitious plotting and excessive stunt casting (Anderson regulars Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Bob Balaban and Owen Wilson are all essentially unnecessary here) weaken its second act, but there are plenty of silly moments to be had, including the photobombing effect from many of the actors in various scenes (Schwartzman and Norton in particular). It may not have universal appeal, but "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is still Anderson's funniest, most mainstream effort to date and one of 2014's best efforts. Too bad its early-year release date will undermine any award chances later in the year.
Wes's Grade: A-
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