Wednesday Whimsy - Movie Review on The French Dispatch

 Wacky, whimsical.  It's Wednesday, folks and I've got a director, Wes Anderson, film to review.  The French Dispatch is weird (in a good way). The man has a unique style and this one checks off his quirks. 

1. Cast of a heck of a lot - Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Owen Wilson,  Tilda Swinton, Timothee Chalamet, Adrian Brody, and more

2. Bright colors and vivid sets

3. Animation sequence

4. Words.  There are a lot of words spoken and many hilarious throwaway lines. The script is superb

5. Vignettes. He likes small stories  that all pull together  to one big theme. I like these small stories that feature so many great actors and so many little moments. 

I came home and  told Ray, "You would have hated this."  And that's okay. With a Wes Anderson film, you have to know what you are going in to see and you have to be in a mood for some wacky. 

That sums me up on a Sunday morning five dollar matinee. And there you go for some whimsy, quirky, and Wednesday whatever. 

Movie Review Madness: The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a Wes Anderson creation, and that can spell weird or wonderful. In this case, you are in for a wonderful  filmmaking treat. The cinematography is cotton candy pastel pretty. You enter a magical world and it transcends a level of shine. The cast is impeccable and the story is all encompassing. Basically a writer, played by Jude Law, meets a man who owns the Grand Budapest (now a bit of a fallen gem).  He dines with the owner (F. Murray Abraham) and hears the story of the past and how he came to own the hotel. It’s quite a fanciful story and you’ll embrace every second.  

Ralph Fiennes plays M. Gustave the premier concierge. Oh he gives service all right – to every golden haired senior lady around. He captivates Tilda Swinton, and she leaves him a painting in her will. Now the family is up in arms. Ralph must flee and he takes the lobby boy with him (that’s the F.M. Abraham character). Are you following? There’s a wild chase all over Europe as love, treachery, theft, loyalty, and service play out.  You’ll need a cheat sheet to identify all of the characters and actors involved. It’s a treat. There’s a prison breakout, a crazy snow chase, and every hotelier around is involved.  

Anderson’s world is magical and you’ll chuckle at every twist and turn in the plot. Ralph Fiennes, often so stodgy, is a comic genius. This is an indie film worth discovering. You’ll want to check in with the lobby boy and stay awhile. Enjoy!