Wonderful Film

Rating: 9/10 (10 January 2016)

Other than reading a couple of quick reviews of this movie I had no real idea of what I was going to watch. I was not familiar with this director, Wes Anderson, though I did know most of the actors. The best way I could describe this movie would be Stylish Cinema all the while walking the line between being a classic and absurdity. It does it extremely well.
The movie is set in a fictitious location somewhere in Eastern Europe between WWI/II and portrays a bygone era of opulence and old world manners. The primary location is set in a luxurious hotel replete with a staff whose primary purpose is to look after the guests.
Early in the movie we realize we are being told a story. The beginning of the movie is set in the 60's after the hotel is basically run down and then switches to the mid 30's which is where the majority of the movie takes place.
The main character is played by Ralph Fiennes who is the concierge of the hotel. While he is the focal point the cameos by other well- known actors were plentiful and varied, not to mention eccentric.
The movie is a lament for bygone days and an era which we shall never see again while also being somewhat of a parody. A couple of the more memorable quotes from the movie:
The golden age that Zero is evoking never really existed. "His world had vanished long before he even entered it".
"He certainly maintained the illusion with remarkable grace," one character remarks of another near the end of the movie," suggesting this may sometimes be the best we can do.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and it made me want to watch some of the director's previous films and too watch this film again which is a rarity for me. Highest Marks