How so? Even amid all of the pastel colors and quirky characters, it is noticeably darker in nature. Sure, Anderson's previous films also had this trait (The Royal Tenenbaums most noticeably), but The Grand Budapest Hotel takes it to a new level. Then again, the film's story does begin after a sudden death...
I think I can say on the behalf of several people that one of the main draws of The Grand Budapest Hotel was its influences. Anderson himself cited the films of Ernst Lubitsch (The Shop Around the Corner) and Rouben Mamoulin (Love Me Tonight) as role models amongst others. I mean, if that doesn't get you a bit excited, I don't know what to tell you.
Well, if that didn't excite you, the (as expected) star-studded cast certainly will. (The roster of actors Anderson gets for every new film he does still blows my mind.) I won't mention every actor in The Grand Budapest Hotel but I will say that Ralph Fiennes is hilarious. (More comedy roles for him, please.) Oh, and newcomer Tony Revolori is also very, very good.
The Grand Budapest Hotel isn't my immediate favorite of Anderson's films (Moonrise Kingdom gets that spot) though it was certainly a delight to watch. (Sometimes it's fun to see serious actors loosen up a bit.) I anticipate your next film, Mr. Anderson.
My Rating: *****
It's exactly the type of movie we expect to see from Wes Anderson, yet, on a much larger-scale this time around. And with less heart and emotion, but still enough moments of fun and joy that you don't really sit around and care too much. Good review.
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