The Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson, starring Ralph Fiennes

Wes Anderson has one of the most distinctive styles in Hollywood. A random five-second clip from his filmography would immediately reveal his hand to an audience. This jittering and modern antiquated style is on display again in his latest film The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Even the plot is suitably Andersonesque. We meet flamboyant Monsieur Gustave in the 1930s and hear his story from the perspective of his ex-lobby boy Zero Moustafa. An older Zero in the 1980s tells the story to a young author who then recounts the story to us. It is a typical Anderson framing device which immediately muddies the film's realism and plants the plot in a distinctly novelistic and clearly imagined world. 

Hotel concierge Gustave, who loves to entertain and ‘service’ his older female clients, is unjustly accused of murder after he is bequeathed a priceless painting by one of his deceased ladies. Taking issue with the acquisition, the lady’s family frame Gustave for her murder and set about trying to change her will and recover the lost painting.

Utilizing a prison escape, a manhunt, and an impending war allows Anderson to stamp his distinctive eye all over the film’s events. The relationship between Gustave and Zero is also a repeated Anderson trope. By placing two unlikely misfits side by side, he successfully exploits the comic potential latent in their unusual relationship.

Gustave is another one of Anderson’s fantastically eccentric central characters. With a penchant for linguistic formality, motivational speeches, romantic poetry and expensive cologne, he is an eminently sympathetic and watchable lead.

Grand Budapest features an ensemble that will be familiar to anyone who has seen one of Anderson’s previous films. Bill Murray, Adrian Brody, Willem Defoe, Jeff Goldblum, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzman all make cameos of varying length but equal quality.

Ralph Fiennes sits at the centre of the film as the effeminate and particular Monsieur Gustave. Fiennes is not known for his comic acting but he is on fine form throughout this fast-pace 90-minute movie. Tony Revolori also provides strong support as the lobby ball Zero. Together, Fiennes and Revolori are a charismatic pair that matches any of the great double-teams that have graced Anderson’s movies.

Ralph Fiennes (L) as Gustave and Tony Revolori (R) as Zero

There is a lot to like about Grand Budapest and it is one of Anderson’s most accomplished works for years. While there is little to distinguish it stylistically from one of Anderson’s previous films, it feels more complete than some of his recent movies. The wild, twisting plot is enjoyable and the distinctive characters hold the screen easily.

It would be nice to see Wes Anderson try something different. The Fantastic Mr Fox was an interesting foray into unchartered waters but it was little more than an animated version of a distinctive Anderson template. There is still something beguiling and engrossing about Anderson’s movies but his style is becoming tired and repetitive.

For Anderson to become a truly great director, he needs to break the mold and push his own boundaries. Otherwise, we’ll be watching movies identical to Grand Budapest for years to come.