Review of The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) by Steve W — 03 Feb 2015

I'm a big Wes Anderson fan, but this one didn't sit me as well as his other films. Its missing that heart and whimsy, with a violent and crude tone that doesn't match its comedy parts. The cast list is super impressive, but the only ones who get to flex their acting chops are Ralph Fiennes and Willem Dafoe. As usual, the art direction and cinematography are breathtaking, but the story being told in flashback reduces suspense and the story's theme of a bygone era gets muddled with a comedic tone. I can't let my fondness for Anderson blind me this time, I didn't care for this one.

Re-Watch: It got better with a second viewing almost a year later. Viewing it as a dark comedy instead of just a comedy, the violence fits in a sort of deranged Pink Panther like movie. Its still probably my least favourite Wes Anderson film however.