Movie Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

1. Introduction

Have you ever thought that a hotel can be not just a place, but a story? If not, watch The Grand Budapest Hotel! This film is a fantastic, colorful and very unique story that takes us to the world within a hotel, with a new incident, a new mystery and many interesting characters around every corner.

This film, directed by Wes Anderson, tells the story of a fictitious hotel located in 1930s Europe. The film shows us in a great way about the adventures of the hotel manager Gustav H. (Ralph Fiennes) and his young companion Georgy (Tony Revolori).

Wes Anderson's style, which is always known for its distinctive colorful set designs and cut frames, is well seen in this film. Every scene of the film comes alive like a painting. This is why The Grand Budapest Hotel comes out not only as a story, but also as a work of art.

2. Plot Summary 

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a large hotel located in the fictional European country of Zubrowka in the 1930s. At the beginning of the film, we meet a young concierge named Georgy, who is the caretaker of a highly prestigious and extravagant hotel. His closest friend and mentor is Gustav H. (Ralph Fiennes), the hotel manager and a very influential man.

Gustav H.'s life is full of mystery. One day, he finds an expensive painting by a great artist in the hotel, which leads to some very dangerous situations. This is followed by a scandalous lawsuit and a bloodbath that engulfs the hotel. Georgy and Gustav H. encounter many strange events during their visit, and at the same time they are forced to face some important questions about life.

The story moves forward in a very interesting way through different twists of the story and keeps the audience hooked till the end.

3. Cast & Characters 

The Grand Budapest Hotel has a great and impressive cast for acting. Ralph Fiennes plays Gustav H. brilliantly. His acting is not only an unmatched example of comedy, but every dialogue and every emotion of his is filled with deep meaning. The character of Gustav H. is that of a perfect concierge, who is very dedicated to his responsibilities, and that is his biggest specialty.

Tony Revolori plays the role of Georgy. He comes across as a young, honest and sensible guy who idolizes Gustav H. The friendship between them is the heart of the film and their chemistry is great.

Another standout character in the film is Mr. Muillet (Adam Driver), who comes across as Gustav H.’s arch nemesis. Actors like Bill Murray, Oscar Isaac, and Tilda Swinton also play important roles in the film, and each of their roles makes the film even more interesting.

4. Direction & Cinematography 

Wes Anderson has made his mark in directing The Grand Budapest Hotel. His film style is always special, and the same specialty is seen in this film as well. Every frame of the film looks like an artistic painting. Anderson pays great attention to every detail, which makes every scene very beautifully presented.

The cinematography is unmatched! Robert Yamal has shown his mastery in the cinematography of the film. The selection of colors, position of the frame, and camera movement in every scene are all extremely accurate. Anderson has shot it in such a way that every scene seems alive like a painting.

Sometimes the camera is used to express the mental state of a character, and this is very impressive. The film also shows 1:1 square frames, which make the fictional and mythological atmosphere of the story even deeper.

5. Writing & Storytelling 

Wes Anderson and Hugo Gots have written the story of The Grand Budapest Hotel in a very entertaining and interesting way. The screenplay of the film is very accurate and full of humor. The story has a great mix of flashbacks and events based on different times. It is really an art to connect this type of story in this way.

The mood of the story is light-hearted and colorful yet serious. It not only depicts the events happening inside a hotel, but also shows the aspects of human relationships, trust and deception hidden in it in detail.

The film has a great tadka of humor, which makes the audience laugh every moment. But the deep messages hidden in it, such as friendship, betrayal, and the attempt to understand the meaning of life, make this film much more deep and impressive. The special thing about its dialogues is that there is a sarcasm and intelligence in every line, which makes the film more attractive.

6. Music & Sound Design 

The music selection in The Grand Budapest Hotel is very beautiful. The music of the film is composed by Alexandre Desplat, and he has adapted its melodies very accurately to the spirit of the film. The piano, strings and other instruments used in the film add importance to every scene.

The music selection perfectly matches the European environment of the time and the light-hearted style of the film. Sometimes light and sweet music is used, while at other times it turns into heavy and serious music, which creates a sense of urgency and depth of the scene.

The sound design is also very important. The unique and delicate background music of the film, the coordination of voices and dialogues creates a new experience. This music and sound perfectly matches the scenes and emotions of the film, and this further increases its impact.

7. Themes & Messages 

The Grand Budapest Hotel has many deep and important messages hidden in it. One of the big themes of the film is "friendship and loyalty". By watching the relationship between Gustav H. and Georgy, we come to understand that we have to face many difficulties to follow the right path, but with true friendship we can overcome any difficulty.

Another important message is "uncertainty of the future". The European environment shown in the film depicts the state and change of society. The film is based on a fictional place, but it is also connected to true history, which forces us to think about what is the truth behind the development of our society.

Apart from this, the film also discusses the ideas about "money, authority and power". The film shows that sometimes we have to give up and sacrifice to maintain our identity in life.

8. Personal Opinion & Critique  

According to me, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a very beautiful and interesting film. Wes Anderson has presented this film in a poetic style, which takes the audience to a new world in every scene. The colors, set design, and music of the film have made it even more special.

But, sometimes the style of the film is so special that some viewers are unable to connect with it. The traction of the film is a bit slow and maybe some people may find it boring. However, I consider it a form of art, and I found it very interesting.

The humor style of the film is very subtle, and it forces the audience to think on a very deep level. The chemistry between its characters and the light-hearted emotional aspect of the film makes it even more attractive.

According to me, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a wonderful film, which is colorful and interesting. If you are a movie lover and want to watch something new, then this film is for you.

9. Audience & Recommendations  

This movie is for audiences who like unique and arthouse movies. If you like the colorful and stylish styles of the movie, then you should definitely watch The Grand Budapest Hotel. It is also great for those who want a mix of suspense, laughter and deep thoughts.

The movie is suitable for audiences of any age due to its comedy and serious messages, but it is not a movie for children as it has some serious and complex things to say. If you are a fan of Wes Anderson or want to watch something different, then this movie can be a great choice.

I would recommend it to audiences who want to understand their thoughts deeply after watching a beautiful and special movie.

10. Conclusion & Rating 

In conclusion, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a great movie that presents Wes Anderson's unique style very well. Every aspect of its screenplay, acting, and art make it a timeless masterpiece.

Every part of the film transports the audience to a new world. Its characters, dialogue, and visual art all provide a great experience. I loved this film and the experience of watching it was unforgettable.

I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. If you want to watch something unique and artistic, then The Grand Budapest Hotel is the perfect movie for you.