MOVIE REVIEW: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

“THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL”

PRESS REVIEW

In truth, anyone can get tickled pink whilst watching this film. It’s absolutely hilarious as it’s meant to be.

It swallows you into its “guffawing” process, from start to finish.

This Reviewer steers away from comedies because he is a sad person, but hey, this one really makes him roar. (very serious).

Granted, the packaging offered is deliberately done in old school style to render it a period setting.

But beat it, the jokes  and actions are timelessly funny. If  you are feeling blue at any time of the day, check into the cinema to enjoy this fun movie when it’s in town.

You’d not regret the decision.

“THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL” breezes us through the silly escapades of Gustave H, a classic goodlooking  concierge at a renowned European hotel between the wars.

His sidekick is Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy he trains to be his loyal friend.

The story focuses all  types of human dramas: the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, and the battle for an enormous family fortune, all against the back-drop of a Continent that is geographically changing.

Director-writer WES ANDERSON dresses the movie in seamless style. He garnishes it with rich color tones,  symmetrical designs, nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s a goofy movie that induces genuine laughter. Hahaha!

Repeat, the lead actor M. Gustave (RALPH FIENNES) is a concierge at a legendary hotel perched atop a vantage mountain in a fictional European country before the outbreak of war.

He is in the process of training a lobby boy named Zero (TONY REVOLORI), who will soon become his closest pal and accomplice.

Gustave is a dandy who takes delight in catering to the whims and fancies of senior wealthy women who stay at the hotel. Whether this is done out of pure joy or gain, no clear reasons were specified.

When oldie dowager (TILDA SWINTON) who plays an old lady aged 100+) passes away, she bequeaths him with a priceless painting, but this act infuriates her arrogant son (ADRIEN BRODY).

What follows are cat-and-mouse chases throughout the movie, involving  murder, imprisonment and a whole lot more.

The list of notable veterans such as RALPH FIENNES, JUDE LAW, TONY REVOLORD, BILL MURRAY, EDWARD NORTON, SAOIRSE RONAN, ADRIEN BRODY and OWEN WILSON.

The film director WES ANDERSON takes a cue from the Charlie Chaplin comedies where the actions of his actors are animated in a high spirited and hilarious style.

He unashamedly adds a remarkable dash of surrealism transporting us through a world of aesthetic dreams where the rules of reality do not apply.

His visual treatment is like a welcome breath of fresh air.

Stay braced for a beautiful, colorful world.

In grand style.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5