Has Anderson's usual quirky style, humor and offbeat characters.

Rating: 9/10 (2 April 2014)

'THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Wes Anderson directed and co-wrote (with Hugo Guinness) this all-star comedy film about a popular European concierge trying to clear his name of murder, with the aid of a recently employed lobby boy (who has become his closest friend). The story is set between the two world wars and was inspired by the writings of Stefan Zweig (a famous Austrian writer during the 1920s and 30s). The film stars Ralph Fiennes as the concierge and Tony Revolori as his lobby boy friend. It also features performances by Adrien Brody, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, F. Murray Abraham, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan. Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Murray and many others. I found it to be quite funny and visually interesting but not up to par with Anderson's best films.
Fiennes plays M. Gustave; a concierge at a once famous European hotel (in the fictional Zubrowka), during the height of it's popularity (between the two world wars). Tony Revolori plays Zero Moustafa, a recently hired lobby boy who Gustave quickly takes a liking to. Gustave was well liked by the hotel's richest guests (for his excellent customer service), especially older blonde women (who he made sure got all their needs met). When one such regular guest passes on, named Madame D. (Swinton), Gustave is left a very valuable Renaissance painting. This causes quite a controversy with Madame D.'s family, especially her son Dmitri (Brody), and Gustave soon finds himself imprisoned for the Madame's murder. He then must rely on Zero to help him clear his name. F. Murray Abraham plays Zero as an adult (at a much later time), who narrates the story.
The movie has Anderson's usual quirky style, humor and offbeat characters. It also has some deeper emotional drama (like his other films) but not at the same level as his greatest work and the characters aren't quite as likable or memorable either. It is really funny, highly amusing and full of great performances (especially Fiennes); like all of Anderson's other movies too. Without that same level of human touch though (as Anderson's best) I can't recommend it quite as much. I'm sure fans of his will be extremely entertained though; as well as fans of any of the actors involved.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5TT6LZ7cFI