Darjeeling Limited (2007)

the new Wes Anderson movie has quickly become something to take notice of in the world of cinema. Talk all the shit you want about over reaching sentimentality, contrived kitch/retro set design and soundtracks-these movies are head and shoulders above the competition. Better than 90% of all movies being made right now.

And really, why complain? You hate the Kinks or something?

This movie is a clear step in a new direction, the opening sequence is of Bill Murray rushing to catch a train and just not making it, but while running is passed by Adrien Brody who does catch the train and we follow his story instead.

He is meeting his two estranged brothers (Jason Swartzman and Owen Wilson) for a  “spiritual” journey through India on the roughly one year anniversary of their fathers death. The trip has been coordinated by Owen Wilson and it slowly becomes clear that they are actually going to find their mother who is at a convent in the Himalayas.

Of course being a “road movie” of sorts, lots of thing go wrong, they fight, get high on Indian over the counter painkillers and some real fucking tragedy.

Wes Anderson is clearly trying to work out of his comfort zone and I’d say most of it works pretty well. The overstylized set design is toned down, the emotional depth is brought back to “Royal Tennenbaums” regions and really great performances all around. Honestly, I like it that W. Anderson is the only director on the planet that looks at Owen Wilson and sees his innerpain and casts him accordingly. I’m not saying Owen Wilson is a great actor but he is great in these movies, and shit, the guys clearly got problems.

Soundtrack mostly taken from Satyajit Ray films (the beautiful “Apu” trilogy-of which I’ve only seen Panther Panchali) but some ‘Stones thrown in for good measure.

It’s no “Tennenbaums” but he is going in a good direction, I liked it a lot.

Also I recommend watching the Hotel Chevalier short film before hand: its over at itunes for free.