Thoughts while watching The Grand Budapest Hotel. 1. In a way, Wes Andersons films are like Steven Spielbergs as they often show the invasion of a formalistic, innocent idea of normalcy invaded by dark malignant forces. They have nothing else in common. 2. The casting of F. Murray Abraham as an older version of Tony Revolori and Jude Law to play a younger version of Tom Wilkenson was really distracting at first but I got over it. 3. Speaking of distracting, Anderson should learn how casting big name actors in tiny roles can be distracting. Here Bill Murray, Bob Balaban, Jason Swartzman and Owen Wilsons parts could be played by anybody. Compare it to 12 Years a Slave where Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt and Alfre Woodard all had small parts but parts that were actually crucial to the narrative with at least one big scene. The fact that three of these actors are also Anderson regulars means that it will probably always remain distracting to people who watch all of Andersons films. 4. But Ralph Finnes gives a spectacular comic performance. He should do more comedy. Also, Willem Dafoe and Harvey Kietel are both used really well. Tilda Swinton only has a couple scenes covered in make up but is also great. The cast doesnt have any weaknesses really, except for the big actors cast in unnecessary cameos. 5. I also liked Andersons use of 1930s cinematic techniques. It might not be as fun for non-film buffs but it works for me. 6. Geez, this film is unexpectedly violent. It serves a purpose, foreshadowing the war and commenting of the rise of fascism, but I never expected a Wes Anderson film to involve so many severed body parts. 7. The movie is kind of cold but two moments have genuine emotional impact, one being the ending. 8. I really like the use of the story within a story narrative and the use of multiple narrators. It could have been done better, and I have seen it done better, but few directors even have the guts to attempt it and he pulled it off. 9. I kind of concur with the assessment that this is a live action Fantastic Mr. Fox. Has any director ever been so defined by his choices in art direction? 10. I rate it somewhat low on the Wes Anderson totem pole but his work is so strong overall that it would rank much higher in most directors body of work. It isnt the mess that the Life Aquatic was, though also doesnt reach the peaks of brilliance that same film did, nor does it lapse into self parody as The Darjeeling Limited did.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 03:07:53 +0000
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