A quirky film with an impressive cast

Rating: 8/10 (26 February 2015)

The titular The Grand Budapest Hotel was in the fictional central European nation of Zubrowka; it has since been demolished but here we learn how its last owner came to possess this imposing building and why he stayed in the servants' quarters when he visited. Told in flashback, we learn that owner Zero Moustafa, a stateless immigrant, started off as a humble lobby boy working under M. Gustave, the hotel's previous, and greatest, concierge. M. Gustave was particularly popular with the female guests, especially Madame D. When he learns of her death he and Zero go to pay their final respects. Much to his surprise he discovered that a recent change to her will left a valuable painting to him a painting the rest of the family are determined he shall not have. He takes the painting setting in motion a train of events which will see him and Zero pursued across the country, his jailing and subsequent escape as well as romance for Zero before we finally learn how Zero came to be the owner.
When I started watching this film I knew little about it apart from the fact that it had won a fair number of awards and was popular with the critics. In the opening scenes I thought it might be trying a little bit too hard to be quirky but once we were back in the past seeing M. Gustave and young Zero's story I was quickly hooked. The story contains wit, excitement and a degree of tragedy. The whole cast, which includes plenty of well-known actors in cameo roles, does a fine job; most notably Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori who play our protagonists M. Gustave and Zero respectively. The action doesn't look realistic but this is clearly deliberate and affective in a way that means we can believe things like the rather unlikely jailbreak. If there is one complaint to be had it is about the strong language; it isn't too excessive but may put off some viewers who would otherwise have enjoyed the film. That is a small quibble though; overall I found this quirky film most enjoyable.