Between Syldavia and Borduria (screen)

Rating: 7/10 (18 April 2014)

For the Tintin fans, those names would be familiar as they are, like Zubrowska, all Central European imaginary states. If i have never read Zweig and my Hergé memories a bit foggy as well now, i think the two authors share the same passion for folklore, history and fun.
At first, the movie is rather serious and sluggish : it's about a young girl reading the tale of a author who recalls the tale of the hotel owner. The atmosphere in this luxury but empty place looks like Bilal's « Bunker Palace Hotel » : if i was a bit bored, i could enjoy however the stunning visual and production of this movie and the real talent of the director with his camera.
Then, the story reaches its point with the inheritance problem and the movie becomes great : it's really funny, crazy, filled with absurdity, black humor and Benny-Hill style gags. The cast reunites a all-star team with phlegmatic Fienes, impressive Brody, frightening Dafoe and amazing newcomer for me Saoirse Ronan, as i have got the feeling to know her for a long time.
In a way, it finishes close to a Burton's movie, except not having Elfman doing the score. In short, this movie is again the proof that Americans have really talent to do movies about my old Europa !