Review of The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) by Liesl E — 04 Feb 2015

Occasionally funny. Wes Anderson's typical style is on full display here, a style that is unique but without purpose. Anderson's artistic vision never seems to lend itself to any particular message or intent, but serves only to make the film feel "quirky." The plot drags significantly at the beginning though it does pick up toward the end and provide a more entertaining and occasionally heartfelt story.

But I finished the movie wondering why it had been made, or why I watched it. Was I entertained? Not particularly. Was I touched or moved by it's story or characters? No. Was it a story that otherwise demanded to be told, for any artistic, political, or social reason? I didn't feel that way. Fans of Anderson may disagree, but I am left wondering why this movie got an Oscar attention at all.