Hilarious, wonderful, beautiful

Rating: 9/10 (30 April 2014)

Why, oh, why, have I not read in any of the reviews on the first couple of pages any note of the very clear (to me, anyway,) homage in this movie to the Marx Brothers and WC Fields. From the names of people and places to the characters to the comic setups and even the tempo, both inspirations shine clearly through. Even though the movie is clearly set in WesAndersonland, it is truly a movie lover's movie with many links and references to the broad comedy of these geniuses of the 1920's and 1930s, which is, of course, the period of The Grand Budapest Hotel.
The photography is visually lush with the feel of many paintings and painters of the era of Van Hoytel, painter of Boy with Apple.
This is a movie for watching and re-watching and re-watching, over and over again. There are so many jokes and witty allusions that occur just outside the center of the screen and/or pass too quickly for real appreciation.
I personally plan to STUDY The Grand Budapest Hotel for its many layers.