Movie Review: Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson is slowly assuming his ultimate form. This is my observation as a long time fan of his films. He is embracing his quirks and tropes and coming more and more into his own. I have always loved how his movies are so multifaceted. They are dramatic stories with lots of comedy and always a touch of melancholy. Grand Budapest Hotel continues that tradition telling the story of a precocious lobby boy and his gallant mentor Mr. Gustav played by Ralph Fiennes in rare form. His character is a Quixotic hotel concierge who drops so many great lines and pearls of wisdom you’ll be quoting him for weeks.
Mixed into this setup we get a classic murder mystery and a hero’s journey set in a gorgeously constructed vision of mid 20th century Europe. The attention to detail is impressive as is always the case in Anderson’s films. It is a bit overwrought at times. We probably didn’t need quite so many narrative framing devices and cameos (the casting is so good frankly it feels like a flex at this point). Yet the core story is heartfelt and it is all filmed so beautifully. Not my favorite Anderson film but still easy to recommend.
Grade: B+
