Wes Anderson's new movie "The Grand Budapest Hotel" was released today, March 7, by Fox Searchlight Pictures. The film by the Moonrise Kingdom director features an all star cast, including some Anderson frequent fliers, includes Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, and, Owen Wilson. The movie is currently in limited release.
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Anderson's eighth feature film, follows the adventures of Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel at the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, and Zero Moustafa (the younger version played by Tony Revolori), the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, the battle for a gigantic family fortune, and . The movie opens in 1985, when an unidentified aging writer (Tom Wilkinson) is recalling a time back in 1968 when his younger self (played by Jude Law) stayed at the almost vacant Grand Budapest Hotel and became acquainted with its enigmatic proprietor, Mr. Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham). Moustafa inherited the once elegant hotel from Gustave years ago, and almost thirty years later, the hotel is grim and dank, as it has been taken over by a Communist regime. The movie is told in flashbacks through the memories of a young Moustafa as seen through the perspective of his youthful eyes against the background of a visually delightful and dramatically changing continent. The movie is not only a crime thriller and a war movie, but also a story about friendship. As per Anderson's typical style, the film is a whimsical and visually appealing with references to family dysfunction.
The movie is already garnering positive critical acclaim, with A.O. Scott of the New York TImes making the film as a critics' pick and NPR writing "Wes Anderson's New Hotel Proves Pretty Grand Indeed." Will you go see "The Grand Budapest Hotel" this weekend?
Director: Wes Anderson
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 99 minutes
Rated R for language, some sexual content and violence
