A Ravishing Slice of Cake: The Grand Budapest Hotel Review

The Grand Budapest Hotel
Directed by Wes Anderson
Starring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton
9/10

Wes Anderson must see nothing but blandness in most of today’s blockbuster films. It’s no surprise that the director’s 2012 film-turned-cult-classic Moonrise Kingdom was regarded for the perfection of its every shot, and that his latest visual marvel, The Grand Budapest Hotel, has followed suit.

Anderson’s critically-acclaimed style of film-making comes down to his obsession with symmetry, and sure enough, it becomes indescribably satisfying to watch as The Grand Budapest Hotel positions its characters in the center of every frame. For Anderson, beauty is all about steadiness and balance — an aesthetic that should become stale relatively quickly, but manages to hold its own for two or so hours, even when its carrying the amusingly ridiculous and audacious characters residing in The Grand Budapest Hotel.

At its core, this film is a harkening back to a time when entertainment was restricted by the conventions of theatre and early cinematography; so much so, in fact, that every one of the film’s shots  — as well as being symmetrically balanced — have been meticulously framed to resemble a stage, or an impressionist’s painting. The result is a film that is dressed like a diligent hotel assistant — sophisticated and inviting, with a hidden layer of sweat underneath.

Set in the fictional, war-struck Republic of Zubrowska (and filmed entirely in Germany), The Grand Budapest Hotel tells the history of a grandiose mountainside inn and its pompous, dry-witted and exuberantly vulgar concierge, Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), who is accused of murdering one of the hotel’s wealthy residents, and his primary love interest. As it happens however, the film quickly becomes distracted from the murder mystery, and instead prefers to flatter itself with its hilarious scriptwriting, adventurous plot, vibrant characters portrayed by a talented cast (including cameos from Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Harvey Keitel), and of course, its beautifully-crafted mise-en-scène.

The Grand Budapest Hotel would be an empty establishment without its character development, however. Thankfully, it warms the heart to witness the strong bond that forms between Gustave and his reserved but innocently loyal lobby boy, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori). It’s a journey that is well-complemented by its visual elements and conversational nuances, and naturally requires a firsthand experience to be understood for what it’s worth.

Rest assured, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a ravishing slice of cake, baked with all kinds of exotic, delicious flavours, and it has the potential to delight and beguile viewers who are less accustomed to its refreshing aesthetic.

Andrew Nardi

Still unsure? Watch the trailer for The Grand Budapest Hotel on YouTube.