Movie Title: The Grand Budapest Hotel
First Watch / Repeat Viewing
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Rated: R
Who did I watch with?: Stephie
Where did I watch it?: Home
Review:
The Grand Budapest Hotel is Wes Anderson at his finest. The story centers around Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes) and Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori and F. Murray Abraham) and the eponymous hotel. Gustave H. takes on many lovers while focusing primarily on the elderly. After the death of one of his most recent lovers Gustave is bequeathed a painting of exceptional value. After which he is accused of murdering its former owner. The story travels through several vignettes traveling from 1932 to the hotel’s present ownership and guest list. Aside from the story of Gustave and the hotel, the movie also tells the story of the fictional nation of Zubrowka and its internal struggles.
The cast is exceptional. Fiennes is hilarious and the supporting cast is stacked from top to bottom. Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, and Owen Wilson have small roles that are played beautifully.
The movie’s cinematography is brilliant. It has vibrant colors and beautiful mixed mediums of painting are blended into the film. The lighting shifts regularly with mood and tone. It is visually overstimulating and rich.
Verdict:
It is a beautifully shot, exceptionally funny, and interesting story. See it.
Tomorrow’s Movie: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
