The Grand Budapest Hotel

It all relies completely and solely on Wes Anderson’s direction. He manages to sell both special stabilization and an absurd story, but without him it’s “just" a tried and tested mishmash of (sometimes more, sometimes less) funny scenes. It’s not a boring movie, it’s playful, lively and has excellent actors. The problem is that we find innovation only in the trimmings, but not on the inside. Movie magic hiding yet another empty ode to an incredible life that just isn’t that entertaining anymore. (07/22/2015)

This playful coloring book is highly original in Wes Anderson’s traditional fashion. The fast-paced narrative tells an engaging story about interesting characters, who shine due to the brilliant actors portraying cast. I’m glad the film succeeded commercially even in US cinemas, because its unique filmmaker deserves it. (04/03/2014)

Wes Anderson is a director with his own world. I’ve seen his world a few times before and I never liked it as much as I did in this movie. It may have been caused by the atmosphere of the Second World War, but I rather think it was the absurdity as such, that the director toys with in this war. It’s a bit like Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds, only in the far more distinctive and positive style of the director, which I’ll probably never forget. And I have to admit, after watching this movie, I immediately have a reason to watch all his other movies I’ve seen before, but also the ones I haven’t seen yet. That’s how much The Grand Budapest Hotel affected me. (06/10/2014)

This is my first encounter with the work of the cult director Wes Anderson. I must say that it was a pleasant meeting that invited me to explore more films from his workshop. The success of the film does not lie in the plot - if the backbone of the story were to carry a vertebrate, that poor thing would practically not move from its place. I don't know about elsewhere, but in this case, Anderson's strength lies in caricature and grotesque exaggeration. The director conceived his search for the source of the hotel owner's wealth as a fantasy retelling of the modern history of Central Europe from the prelude to World War I and the rise of fascism to the social changes resulting from the political movement to the left. The charm of The Grand Budapest Hotel also comes from the casting of episodic roles by famous faces from the world of acting and their use in atypical positions. For example, Tilda Swinton plays a decades-older character from a withered and shamelessly wealthy family clan, which seeks her life and property. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a series of comic characters, amusing gags, chases, and twisty situations, cleverly written and performed with an unmistakable charm. Overall impression: 80%. (06/05/2014)

At the previous stop in Moonrise Kingdom, I was starting to worry that Wes Anderson was only running on autopilot. Fortunately, I was mistaken. This conservative man has started building his own worlds again, and he enchants so powerfully that I can't help but be amazed. From camera-charming scenes (the museum), he transitions to grotesque ones (the Winter Games), and just a few seconds after what seemed like a harmless moment, the blood unexpectedly freezes in my veins. And despite the omnipresent optimistic atmosphere, his beloved accommodations have such a strong nostalgia for old times that it hurts my heart several times. It falls just short of the highest rating due to a few plot surprises, but that doesn't change how shocked and fascinated I remain. Because every time it seems like this bumpy cable car must inevitably stop, a welcome familiar face appears and we keep going. (01/12/2015)