“The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a Wes Anderson film that takes place in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka in the 1930s. The story revolves around the adventures of Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes), the legendary concierge at the titular hotel, and his loyal lobby boy, Zero (Tony Revolori). Gustave is known for his impeccable service and his tendency to sleep with wealthy elderly female guests, including one named Madame D. (Tilda Swinton). When Madame D. dies, Gustave is bequeathed a valuable painting, much to the chagrin of Madame D.’s family and staff, who accuse Gustave of her murder. Gustave and Zero embark on a wild journey to clear his name and keep the painting safe.
Review:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a visually stunning and delightfully quirky film that showcases Wes Anderson‘s unique directorial style. The film’s whimsical production design, quirky characters, and absurd plot twists make for a truly memorable cinematic experience. Ralph Fiennes gives a standout performance as Gustave, perfectly balancing his character’s charming wit and irreverent behavior. Tony Revolori also shines as Zero, delivering a nuanced and heartfelt performance. The supporting cast is also excellent, with notable performances from Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, and Willem Dafoe. The film’s humor and heart make it a joy to watch, and its exploration of themes like loyalty, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of time make it more than just a whimsical comedy.
Awards:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” was a critical and commercial success, earning numerous accolades and nominations. At the 87th Academy Awards, the film won four awards, including Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Original Score. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Additionally, the film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Wes Anderson won the Golden Globe for Best Director. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” also won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay, among other awards and nominations.
| Directed by | Wes Anderson, |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Wes Anderson |
| Story by | Wes Anderson Hugo Guinness |
| Produced by | Wes Anderson Scott Rudin Steven Rales Jeremy Dawson |
| Starring | Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Léa Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson, Tony Revolori, |
| Cinematography | Robert Yeoman |
| Edited by | Barney Pilling |
| Music by | Alexandre Desplat |
| Production companies |
Fox Searchlight Pictures TSG Entertainment Indian Paintbrush Studio Babelsberg American Empirical Pictures |
| Distributed by | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| Release dates | February 6, 2014 (Berlinale) March 6, 2014 (Germany) March 7, 2014 (United States) |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Countries | United States Germany |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Box office | $172.9 million |