The Grand Budapest Hotel: How Grand?

The latest installment in the Wes Anderson (Bottle Rocket) universe is The Grand Budapest Hotel, which focuses on a particular adventure featuring Mr. Gustave H. The entire film is a leveling of flashbacks, like a reverse Inception (2010). Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter Series) stars as Gustave and works at The Grand Budapest, his former lover and friend has been murdered and he was framed.. Or was he? From a director's standpoint, this film is a marvel, fantastic character development and a great pact of story along with an interesting narrative. All of the camera work and cinematography was crafted to near perfection as always with Wes Anderson's films. Nonetheless this is a Wes Anderson film, witty comedy, odd quirks, good storytelling. All are present and there throughout, however there is a minor annoyance to me; the film ended up feeling like more of an ensemble cast rather than a focus on Gustave H. which bothered me during the film. In hindsight, the ensemble feel was obviously intended. Alexandre Desplat's score is heard and felt, the cast is top notch despite many getting less than adequate screen time (Jude Law, Bill Murray, and many others). Overall, The Grand Budapest kept me involved and entertained at the multiple storylines and provided many clever chuckles throughout.

8.5/10