Immaculate

Rating: 10/10 (24 February 2015)

Just a note, this isn't exactly full of spoilers, but I put that spoiler warning because it may confuse readers who haven't seen the movie.
Not only one of my favorites of 2014, but quite possibly one of my favorite films of all time. It is pretty much my favorite screenplay of all time. The way Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness precisely craft a story so inherently beautiful just blows me away.
There are many facets of this movie to enjoy. Firstly, it is a comedy, and this is quite a prevalent and enjoyable aspect of the film. It's not normal comedy, however. Somehow, Anderson is able to write scenes that he knows will be funny. They don't seem to be comedic on the page, but in his direction, in the exceptional performances he gets out of his actors, he builds it, effortlessly, it seems. But The Grand Budapest Hotel stands tall and mighty because of its melancholy, buried somewhere in its aesthetic. It is a beautiful story. I had to watch it about three times and read the screenplay to fully grasp the raw poignancy of the screenplay, a longing for a better time. Watch the film again, and you might discover the tragic exterior surrounding the laughs. It is absolutely beautiful. Another level of this movie is the high-class veneer of the story, but when you think about it, you realize how lowbrow and brutish the plot really is. That doesn't make it any less brilliant, though.
The film would just be a really good movie with an outstanding screenplay at this point. But three factors push it to transcend expectations. Firstly, the cast of characters. Anderson and Guinness write interesting characters like Tony Bennett can croon: effortlessly. Such a wonderful set of characters, each more interesting and intriguing than the last. This is further enriched by the solid cast, with great performances all around. I can't say who was best, but Ralph Fiennes, in the lead role, certainly makes the best of his character. The cast is masterful, a group of artists who collaborate to unfurl fascinating tapestries.
Additionally, there is the technical feel of the film. Every shot, every intent breathed onto the screen is exposed by the intricacy and complex intertwining of cinematography and production design. Every single shot is particular. Every single blemish on an actor's face? Intentional. Who can forget the beautiful exterior shots of the environments, of the hotel itself? It is truly masterwork.
Finally, the movie is pushed into a whole new level, and creates a completely fascinating and enrapturing world with one final jigsaw piece: Alexandre Desplat's score. Desplat has previously scored The King's Speech, Argo, and many other films. But he has, in fact, nobody really has ever made anything like this. His score creates an entirely new environment. NPR did a story on the score, and it is fascinating. They hit the nail on the head. It discusses how the score is playful and whimsical, and perfectly matches the tone of the film, while also maintaining suspense and carrying the story. Also interesting are the character themes, like Moustafa's and especially Jopling's. Jopling's character plays on screen with a simple, playful, yet overtly tense theme which conveys exactly who his character is precisely.
The movie is thrilling during the viewing, but also captivating in its analysis. How does one analyze such a simple movie like The Grand Budapest Hotel? I read an article which explained why the film was so powerful because of allusions to the Holocaust. At this point I stopped reading the article because I felt it was pure bologna. However, I thought about it. I re-read the screenplay with a new frame of mind, and it makes perfect sense. But it was a different logic, a different conclusion. Why was it logical in multiple senses? The fact is, The Grand Budapest Hotel appears to be a simple movie, but it unfolds into the greatest complexity of all: it is a people's film. The movie may not make sense, so it implores you to ponder about it. It encourages you to understand it in your own way.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is my favorite movie of 2014. I highly recommend you watch it, the film has something for everybody.