The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Directed by Wes Anderson
***1/2
Wes Anderson has managed to achieve that tricky balance between an assured creative style and a quirky unexpectedness. Each of his films is also a sort of search, which also seems to suit his style well. Here, in his most recent, the search becomes spiritual — sort of. Three brothers reunite on a train across India (where the film gets its title), but it's been a long time since they've seen each other, at least since their father's funeral. Loss, too, is an Andersonian theme, and the brothers' hilarious bantering, their aimlessness and attempts to find the meaning in their lives never quite cover up the fact that the reason for this trip has as much to do with what they've lost as what they hope to gain. These guys - Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, are a match made in comic heaven. Their timing is perfect, their antics are smile-inducing. I realize that Wes Anderson may be an acquired taste, but I loved this film.
I liked this film too. I think I enjoyed more than any other Wes Anderson film...probably because he had less characters with just a bit more focus.
Posted by: RC of strangeculture | 01 May 2008 at 01:27 AM