"The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014)

Rating: R: 12

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Written By: Hugo Guinness, Wes Anderson

In Theatres: Mar 7^th, 2014

Runtime: 99 minutes

Studio: Fox Searchlight

Summary:

In the 1930s, the Grand Budapest Hotel is a popular European ski resort, presided over by concierge Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes). Zero, a junior lobby boy, becomes Gustave's friend and protege. Gustave prides himself on providing first-class service to the hotel's guests, including satisfying the sexual needs of the many elderly women who stay there. When one of Gustave's lovers dies mysteriously, Gustave finds himself the recipient of a priceless painting and the chief suspect in her murder.

Review:

This was one of the first movies I watched with my roommate in college when I was first getting to know her. It was her favourite film she had informed me and so we made plans to watch it. Popcorn, Pepsi, lights dimmed – the proper cinema experience in the comfort of our own college apartment. I’m glad I watched this film for the first time with her – the experience was all the more fun, and the laughs all the more plenty. 

What a film. Wes Anderson is some man. As per his usual directing style, each scene was timed and structured precisely to aide symmetry. The vibrant colours were a plenty and made the whole film all the more beautiful. This being one of the aspects of the film I loved so much while viewing. A pat on the back for the production design crew! Each shot was something to marvel at in itself. He’s a talented and incredibly distinct director.

Ralph Fiennes was my favourite part of this whole movie though. He made me laugh so much. His character was so quirky and so well rounded and established. It worked so well with the lively pace of the film – never a dull moment! By far one of Ralph Fiennes best performances. Enormously entertaining. 

The character of Zero is so sweet. A wonderful lead. And the friendship between him and M. Gustave was a joy to watch develop. 

There are so many well-known actors in it from Ralph Fiennes, to Bill Murray, to Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan. A fantastic cast for a fantastic film.

The poster and cover of the DVD of the hotel itself (a model sized version fashioned since the place itself doesn’t actually exist) is absolutely beautiful.

The film had a great time at the 2015 Oscars bringing home ‘Best Production Design’, ‘Best Costume Design’, ‘Best Makeup’, as well as ‘Best Music Score’. The film was also nominated for ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Original Screenplay’, ‘Best Cinematography’, and ‘Best Film Editing’. For sure, all thoroughly deserved.

This is an absolutely wonderful film, extremely entertaining and enjoyable humours watch. A must-see. Immediately if not done so already!  

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