Review of Hotel Chevalier (2007) by Adrian A — 15 Jun 2008

I don't no how I forgot to rate this when I first made a review about The Darjeeling Limited but here goes: Again with my review of the aformentioned flick, I shan't go into an enormous rant about this short film.

I will however say it is one of the most beautiful things I have seen on film. As I'm sure I've already mentioned, Wes Anderson films tend to truely make me feel right down to the core, and this 13 minute prologue to The Darjeeling Limited did just that if not more.

To get it out of the way I will admit: different strokes for different folks; and with this I can only offer my own opinion as follows. Quite frankly I think this is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever scene.

From Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman being cast in the roles, to the dialogue, to the setting, to the music, to the EVERYTHING, I personally loved seeing this before "the main show". Anderson crafted something so touching and real, yet so characterized by his unique vision it blew me away the first time I watched it.

His use of yellow as a standout colour and just the overall way this was filmed was stunning to me. The slow motion sequence leaves me shaking everytime I see it for the sheer fact, for me, it is executed absolutely perfect in everyway.

That small moment, in my opinion, is the crowning achievment of this whole short, though would mean nothing without ALL that came before it, or after. And as I said, along with all that came before and after, the moment that camera starts panning in slow motion, I feel as though I am actually looking at something that should be literally refered to as a piece of art.

This isn't some random shlock, or a tag along; it alone is a wonderful short film and should be appreciated as yet another of Anderson's great achievements on celluloid. Okay... so maybe I DID rant a bit, but hey; I loved this shit yo!