An escapist whimsical trip

Rating: 9/10 (8 September 2014)

You don't just watch THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. You feast on it. It's got a story that you don't really know where it's going, but there's a great feeling of fulfillment at the movie's end. If you're familiar with Wes Anderson's wholly unique style, then you know what you're getting into here: eye-popping visuals and endearingly quirky characters. The dialogue grabs you by the ears and doesn't let go, and the most hilarious lines come seemingly out of nowhere. It features a gonzo cast, with just a laundry list of talent, and it's almost every few minutes that a familiar face turns up.
The colors in this movie are gorgeous, but it's the film's winning sense of humor that won me over. Even the sight of a prison guard being shanked is worth a laugh. And I submit to you that the image of Willem Dafoe hurling a cat out a multi-story window is one for the ages. Just try to remain straight-faced.
9/10