The Grand Budapest Hotel is a story about human nature

Rating: 10/10 (30 April 2015)

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a story about human nature. It is told in a manner that portrays the end of the journey first, and then retrofits how the ending came to be. First, we meet an older version of Author (Tom Wilkinson) of the story who is adamant that the succeeding story was exactly as it was told to him. Then, we meet Author's younger self, play by Jude Law. The setting now moves into another period in which we meet Mr. Moustafa played by F. Murray Abraham. The Grand Budapest has seen better days and has very few guests to speak of. Author and Mr. Moustafa meet during the day and agree to have dinner later that evening, in order to shed light on Author's curiosity of Mr. Moustafa past.
During the dinner, Mr. Moustafa begins his story, which takes place in what appears to be the early 1930s, by introducing us to a man name M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). We then see a young Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori) meeting M. Gustave and interviewing for a lobby boy position at the Grand Budapest. During this process we are privileged to a glimpse of how M. Gustave operates as well how efficient his staff is at providing the very best service to the guests. This type of behavior carries throughout the film, giving it distinctive cinematic perspectives on the emotional actions throughout. For example, when M. Gustave calls upon Ivan (Bill Murray) and The Society of Crossed Keys. The background light is remains equal from the time the M. Gustave makes the official request, until the time that Ivan picks them up, indicating the speed of one of the original social networks.
Turning to the techniques used to support the theme. First, was the motif of dark colors that surround the villains, while the white color provides a sense of innocence demonstrated by Agatha's (Saoirse Ronan) wardrobe. A gold dress was used to signify the wealth of Madame D (Tilda Swinton), while the Gray uniforms that Henkels (Edward Norton) and his men wore represent that they were conflicted with their duties. This contrasts the black uniforms that last set of soldiers were wearing, giving me a sense that the scene was likely going to end badly. In addition to the wardrobe selection, the choice to use black and white to show M. Gustave's demise added relevance to theme by enhancing the morose behavior humans sometimes exhibit.
The Grand Budapest Hotel tells as magnificent story in a unique manner that stretches over many generations. It depicts people treating each other in the very best manner, but also demonstrates the other extremity.