The Grand Budapest Hotel

It wasn't really my plan to go see The Grand Budapest Hotel. I had seen the trailer for it and it looked alright. I'm not a huge Wes Anderson fan but I enjoy his movies here and there. A buddy of mine wanted to go see a movie and we weren't really in the mood for Noah. The thing about it is, this movie is easier to write a review for than Captain America or the other shit I've been sitting on for a couple weeks now. Grand Budapest Hotel is fresh in my mind and that's what I'm going to write about. Captain America will come, no need to worry.

I think the fun parts about this movie is the all star cast involved. Ralph Fiennes, Adrian Brody, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Jeff Goldblum, Willem freaking Defoe, this cast is stacked. Not only that but the strange style and writing of Wes Anderson just makes it so these people had a lot of fun with this movie.

If you don't know what Wes Anderson movies are like, its a very dry humor and unique writing mixed with a certain style of cinematography. Watch The Fantastic Mr. Fox and you'll know what I'm talking about. Another fun thing about this movie is that I was half expecting Mr. Fox to show up the movies are very similar. It takes some getting used to and I think it would take a couple of viewings to really get some of the jokes but for what its worth, the movie is funny. However, I don't think its a comedy. At least not a total comedy. The movie has some interesting themes and moments that are actually kind of dark and emotional at times.

The story is a story within a story within a story. A girl is reading the book, the Grand Budapest Hotel. In the story the author is looking back on his time as a young man staying in the Grand Budapest Hotel. From there he is told the story of the current owner of the hotel and how he came to own it. That is the main story. The story mainly focused on Monsieur Gustave (played by Ralph Fiennes), the Concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel and the Lobby boy, Zero Moustafa (played by Tony Revolori). Gustave is a charismatic host and becomes the mentor and guide to Zero. When one of the guests that Gustave was very close to dies, they go to the funeral and figure out that Gustave was left a priceless painting that the family of the old woman (played by Tilda Swinton) refuses to give up. They end up stealing the painting and are chased down by her murderous sons. (played by Adrian Brody and Willem Defoe)

As far as individual performances go, Ralph Fiennes obviously steals the show. He's this very blunt, very british, and just a hilarious character.

Tony Revolori plays a young Zero and he's kind of funny. The better part is the relationship between Zero and Gustave. Zero just idolizes Gustave and I originally thought that Gustave was just using Zero and would screw him over because he thought of him more as an employee than a friend. And while there is hints of that, its mainly the exact opposite. The relationship between the two is simply fantastic and they're a great pair for the majority of the movie.

They're being chased by Willem Defoe. Pretty much the scariest thing ever to happen to anyone but he brings probably the most laughs. Any time I saw Willem Defoe, I just had to laugh.

Along with that, Adrian Brody plays the older brother and the main villain of the film. He's not as good as Willem Defoe but he still had a fun part.

I think the one drawback about having so many big name actors in this movie is that the humor that they were going for was mainly trying to point out that there were so many cameos. Like hey look, its Bill Murray! He shows up for a scene and then leaves. Hey look Owen Wilson. He shows up and then leaves. The truth is, the movie didn't need all the cameos.

I kinda felt like I was watching the trailer that Jimmy Kimmel did a while on his show that featured all these well known actors.

Lots of the laughs in this trailer just came from the fact that these people were participating. And while its fun to be like, oh there's Edward Norton! that surprise and shock value only lasts for one viewing. The movie needs more than cameos to make the humor.

That being said, there are a lot of moments that are legitimately funny. And like I said before, the movie is not a full fledged comedy. Its very much a drama as well. And like I said, the dramatic moments really are in the relationships, mainly between Zero and others.

The stylistic visuals are great and it really makes the movie fun to watch. The pacing is actually really good and the cast is solid, as to be expected. Overall, I liked the movie. I think that I'll eventually need to watch it again and I have a feeling that the more times I've seen this movie, the more I will enjoy it. Right now it was fun. I won't rave about it because I don't think its anything you absolutely must see. Its good, its fun, especially if you like Wes Anderson films you will enjoy the hell out of this movie. If you don't, you're probably like me, you'll enjoy the film but won't really think much of it after.

I mean watch the trailer and you should know what I mean. You'll get a good feel of the movie after the trailer. The humor, the drama, you'll get it. If you didn't think the trailer was good, you probably won't like it. But take a look.

But have you seen The Grand Budapest Hotel? What did you think of it? Are you a fan of Wes Anderson films? Leave your comments below. Let me know your thoughts

I'll leave you with this. I may not be a huge Wes Anderson fan but I do love The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Here's a trailer for that. Enjoy!