Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Grand Budapest Hotel - Movie Review

A most unusual movie and hence must be watched just for its originality. Of course, it's entertaining as well with interesting characters, wealth, women, intrigue, a murderer, a legacy and even war. Not to mention an ensemble cast that includes Jude Law, Ralph Fiennes, Adrian Brody, Edward Norton, Owen Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Willem Daffoe and others in delightful roles.

Jude Law is a writer who land in the Grand Budapest Hotel - an ancient hotel which is slowly losing its patronage. Its old and times are tough but its owner will not sell it. Nor will he stay in any other room except a small one used by lobby boys in the past. In a conversation with the writer, Zero Moustafa the owner, relates the story of how he became the owner of Grand Budapest. He was a lobby boy at the hotel when he met the incredible man, concierge Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), who makes old women (and everyone else) feel special, even carries on discreet affairs with them and sometimes ends up getting some part of their legacy. One such lands him in trouble because he is willed an expensive painting which the family does not want to part with. The son of the dowager sends a murderous accomplice out to recover the painting and finish off Gustave and his loyal accomplice Zero. Gustave survives everything in the only way he does - with style and finesse. In the end Gustave dies fighting for his principles and Zero gets his legacy.

Its not as much the story as the way its been told that makes Grand Budapest so different. Enjoyable.  

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