AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE // A FILM REVIEW OF "THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL"

BY MATEO MORENO

To march inside the mind of Wes Anderson is a guaranteed strange trip.  His films, from Rushmore to Moonrise Kingdom expound on originally, strangeness, and overall, to quote the great Mr. Wonka, pure imagination.  There are some that don’t particularly care for his brand of candy colored worlds and therefore pass up on the opportunities to see a new Anderson film.  I am, however, not one of those people.  THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL is, from the opening moments, a sublime journey into the best of Wes Anderson’s uniqueness.  It may very well be his best film yet, blending together so well comic moments, heartfelt strings, and a story that zings you right along without ever leaving you behind.

We start in the present, with a young girl visiting the grave of a famed author who wrote the novel “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”  We then zoom into the tale told within her book, where the writer (played by Tom Wilkinson) begins to tell a story of his younger self (Jude Law) visiting The Grand Budapest Hotel and a dinner with the owner M. Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham), filled with a grand spinning adventure.  He recounts a concierge from 1932 named Monsieur Gustave H. (played with exquisite touches of life by Ralph Fiennes) and how he stumbled into his biggest adventure ever.  Gustave’s friend, and lover, Madame Celine Villeneuve Desguffe und Taxis (Tilda Swinton under some amazing makeup) passes away, instructing Gustave to appear at the reading of her Will, which he is accompanied by his ever trusty apprentice and Budapest lobby boy Zero (Tony Revolori).  He is left a priceless painting, Boy With Apple, much to the chagrin of her son Dmitri (Adrian Brody) and his psychopathic goon Jopling (Williem Dafoe).  From there the film speeds off into a farce, sending Gustave to prison, sending Zero around the fictional former Republic of Zubrowska, and back again, stopping only occasionally for a beheading or two, some chopped fingers, delicious chocolates, and a birthmark in the shape of Mexico.  Nope, there is never a dull moment in the heart of the Budapest Hotel.

Ralph Fiennes is absolutely magnificent in the lead role of the dandy, dashing Gustave.  In his comic roles (most notably In Bruges) he always brings a fresh spin to the character and this is no exception.  He shines when on screen and his comic timing is simply sublime.  As his sidekick, Tony Revolori is deadpan genius, going toe to toe in strangeness with Fiennes.  Much like a dashing but villainous classic MGM movie villain, Adrian Brody explodes with finesse, and the always steller Williem Dafoe does not disappoint here (as is the same for the luminous Tilda Swinton).  In fact, no one does.  Even in the smallest of roles, every actors steps to the plate and knocks it out.  Wes Anderson’s script (from a story from himself and Hugo Guinness) is like a triumphant fairy tale masterpiece.  Anderson lays in pitch perfect direction and has brought us a film that immediately after you’ll want to watch again.  And so you should, for The Grand Budapest Hotel is not somewhere you want to only visit once.

Mateo’s Grade: A+

Written and Directed By: Wes Anderson Story by Wes Andreson, Hugo Guinness Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Tilda Swinton, Adrian Brody, Williem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, F. Murray Abraham, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan, Edward Norton, Léa Seydoux, Tom Wilkinson Rated R (Adult Language, Mild Violence) Now in Limited Release

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re not a fan of Anderson’s, this is the film that will sway you.  If you are a fan, you will see it for what it truly is: a masterpiece.

NYFF AT 51 REVIEW: "THE INVISIBLE WOMAN"

BY LIZ WHITTEMORE

We all have a past. Some of us have nothing but happy memories. Most of us have secrets. Keeping those secrets can eat us alive.  The Invisible Woman, based on Claire Tomalin’s biography, is the story of a love affair, but one that couldn’t exist in the public eye. Ellen Ternan, affectionately known as Nelly, is a young actress with an affinity for literature, in particular the works of Charles Dickens. With her actress mother and sisters, she is introduced to Mr. Dickens as she accepts a small role in one of his plays. There is an immediate attraction between the two. Paying no mind to his wife and 10 children, Dickens seeks her presence, but in a truly gentlemanly fashion. It becomes apparent to Nelly’s mother that he has deeper feelings. When Nelly is involved in a train accident, Dickens must do everything in his power to make it appear as if he is travelling alone. Nelly then realized the weight of this affair. Charles can never marry her. His adoring public may never know of their love. She must remain “invisible.”

The film is told through the memories of Nelly. We find her a married woman in the opening of the film. She has reinvented herself; changed her name, convinced those in her life that she is 10 years younger, and is a schoolteacher. She cannot hide her feelings of longing but must finally let go of the past. Nelly is played by Felicity Jones. Her vulnerability is palpable on screen. Ralph Fiennes, who takes on the dual role of star and director, is a cinematic gem as Charles. The chemistry between Jones and Fiennes reads completely genuine which is interesting since their characters are so far apart in age. Dickens is in his mid-forties while Nelly is just barely 18. Special attention should be paid to the outstanding performance of Joanna Scanlan as Catherine Dickens. She is a woman abandoned. In the press conference after the screening, Scanlan explains that Catherine is conflicted in her emotions towards Nelly. When two women love the same man, there is an unspoken bond. They understand each other.

Fiennes explained that costumes and sets were a massive undertaking, but were some of the most important aspects of creating the world of Dickens. Costume Designer Michael O’Connor studied photographs and paintings. The actors all agreed that once they stepped into items like delicately embroidered vests and corsets, they felt transformed. Fiennes also studies paintings that would inspire the very wallpaper in each scene.  The Invisible Woman is, above all, a love story. Its lush scenery and enchanting performances bring new life to an author we have all read. Nelly’s story is one we can all relate to on some level.

VERDICT: Must See

Directed by: Ralph Fiennes Written by: Abi Morgan Based on the Book by: Claire Tomalin Starring: Felicity Jones, Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Tom Hollander, Joanna Scanlan 

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a Dickens fan, the literary references will keep you in awe. As a film fan, the performances will leave you breathless.