Jack: I wonder if the three of us would've been friends in real life. Not as brothers, but as people.
Arguably the most original and/or most bizarre filmmaker working today, Wes Anderson never fails to bring us unique entertainment. 'The Darjeeling Limited' while not one of his best films, is no exception. It's an engrossing, neurotic, funny and dare I say emotionally moving tale about three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman) who after their father die, take a trip to India to re-connect with their long-lost mother (Anjelica Houston). That's about all I'll tell you about the plot.
The film is great yet I didn't appreciate it quite as much as 'Rushmore' or 'The Royal Tenenbaums'. It's far better than 'Life Aquatic' or 'Bottle Rocket', but 'The Darjeeling Limited' represents Anderson's most serious film to date. It's a bunch of quirky fun wrapped around a sad but realistic center.
As far as directing goes Mr. Anderson outdoes himself, and the screenplay is magnificent (co-written by star Jason Schwartzman with Wes Anderson). The acting is all top-notch from the three brothers but the real scene-stealer is Adrien Brody, an actor new to the Wes Anderson territory. Brody is sensational in his role as the conflicted oldest brother. The supporting cast is all great especially Bill Murray in a tiny role that's hysterical. Natalie Portman is in the movie for all of about 1 second as Schwartzman's manipulative self-centered abuse-junkie ex-girlfriend, but she is absolutely phenomenal in the online short film prequel to 'Darjeeling' appropriately titled 'Hotel Chevalier'.
All in all, I recommend 'Darjeeling' only if you like Wes Anderson films. Some people will loathe this movie, others, like me, will cherish it like gold. Grade: B+
Arguably the most original and/or most bizarre filmmaker working today, Wes Anderson never fails to bring us unique entertainment. 'The Darjeeling Limited' while not one of his best films, is no exception. It's an engrossing, neurotic, funny and dare I say emotionally moving tale about three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman) who after their father die, take a trip to India to re-connect with their long-lost mother (Anjelica Houston). That's about all I'll tell you about the plot.
The film is great yet I didn't appreciate it quite as much as 'Rushmore' or 'The Royal Tenenbaums'. It's far better than 'Life Aquatic' or 'Bottle Rocket', but 'The Darjeeling Limited' represents Anderson's most serious film to date. It's a bunch of quirky fun wrapped around a sad but realistic center.
As far as directing goes Mr. Anderson outdoes himself, and the screenplay is magnificent (co-written by star Jason Schwartzman with Wes Anderson). The acting is all top-notch from the three brothers but the real scene-stealer is Adrien Brody, an actor new to the Wes Anderson territory. Brody is sensational in his role as the conflicted oldest brother. The supporting cast is all great especially Bill Murray in a tiny role that's hysterical. Natalie Portman is in the movie for all of about 1 second as Schwartzman's manipulative self-centered abuse-junkie ex-girlfriend, but she is absolutely phenomenal in the online short film prequel to 'Darjeeling' appropriately titled 'Hotel Chevalier'.
All in all, I recommend 'Darjeeling' only if you like Wes Anderson films. Some people will loathe this movie, others, like me, will cherish it like gold. Grade: B+