The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) Review

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Director - Wes Anderson

Stars – Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, Tony Revolori

Wes Anderson is a director whose idiosyncratic style is instantly recognisable: from his relentlessly detailed use of props and set design, symmetrical shots and accompaniment of classical music combined with 60’s pop, fans of his would hold his latest effort with a degree of expectation. With this in mind, Anderson’s eighth feature fails to disappoint, greeting us with stunningly meticulous detail of a small European setting overlooked by two World Wars. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a nostalgic tale of the infamous concierge Gustave H (Fiennes) told by his loyal lobby boy Zero, admirably played by the largely unknown Tony Revolori. Set in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, the luxurious Grand Budapest provides the initial setting for an adventure narrative, complete with heists, prison breaks, secret romances and elaborate chase sequences. Fiennes is a fantastic addition to Anderson’s usual casting outfit - his pompous yet charismatic Gustave is equally humorous and engrossing. The familiar faces of Bill Murray, Edward Norton and Jason Schwartzman also provide colour to an already vibrant story through their minor roles.

Those who have seen Anderson’s previous films will be aware of his continual use of certain actors. However this film’s ensemble cast has so many memorable names that it’s hard not to keep grinning all the way through from Schwartzman’s useless hotel worker through to Harvey Keitel’s hardened criminal. The way in which these variety of star turns are managed helps successfully draw the audience into the fictional world of Zubrowka, an impressive feat that’s already achieved by the director’s keen eye for detail. This envelopment into a fictional landscape is not only entertaining but is something Anderson hasn't quite achieved thus far, setting The Grand Budapest Hotel apart from his other films.

It’s true that the films of Wes Anderson have been deemed by some to be overtly stylised and self-indulgent in the past; it’s also true that The Grand Budapest will do little to change the minds of those who can’t tolerate the director’s recurring tropes. But fans and detractors alike would agree that the narratives Anderson presents are undeniably enjoyable. The director’s latest film is a fantastic example of this, giving his audience a film that’s thoroughly engaging through the art of storytelling alone.

RATING 5/5

By Tom Boucher