Anderson back in action with 'The Darjeeling Limited'
By Rachel Hanes, Staff Writer
November 1, 2007 | 4 p.m.
Wes Anderson fans, rejoice! After a three-year hiatus, the famed director has released his newest film, "The Darjeeling Limited," a predictably stylish and humorous picture that leaves little disappointment, despite its inevitability.
“The Darjeeling Limited” follows three American brothers as they come together on a train in India. Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman) have not seen each other since their father’s funeral one year ago. Francis, the eternal optimist of the three, took it upon himself after facing a near-death experience to reunite his brothers and fuse their lives back together.
Each of them is coping with a dilemma in their personal lives. Jack is going through a breakup. Peter is trying to face the fact that he will soon be a father, and Francis is still healing from his violent crash. These issues, which at first create tension between the brothers, eventually bring them together as they attempt to help each other in solving their problems. Eventually, the train leaves the three (after some unorthodox use of Indian pain killers and pepper spray) and are stranded in the Indian desert.
Their spiritual journey -- though interrupted -- moves forward, leading the brothers to go further than they thought they ever would by attempting to reunite with their estranged mother, who has joined a convent and has little desire to see them. Despite the obstacles in their way, Peter, Francis and Jack continue their voyage in hopes of learning to love each other again and becoming the friends they wish they had.
The chemistry that resonates between Wilson, Brody and Schwartzman is undeniable. The three impeccably present the tension, competition and love that exist among brothers. While all three give great performances, Wilson shines. His character’s hopefulness and love for his brothers is heartbreakingly clear,
making the audience want so badly for him to succeed in his efforts to make his family as whole as it possibly can be.
“The Darjeeling Limited” is steeped in Anderson’s quirky writing and filmmaking flare. Though it may be predictable, there are many surprises and unexpected happenings throughout the brothers’ journey. The storyline is filled with random moments of the absurd, exemplified by Peter's inexplicably purchasing a deadly snake and bringing it on board the train, only to have it escape and be confiscated by the chief steward of the train.
The visual style of the film is similar to any other Anderson film. “The Darjeeling Limited” may even succeed in this more so than Anderson’s past films thanks to the exotic and beautiful locale. The characters and the setting take on a vintage look and are shot in fluent motion and exaggerated camera pans, giving the picture a seamless feel. This is a formula, though apparent in his other films, that never seems to be overdone or cause any feeling of annoyance. Anderson’s unique style is wanted and expected. It is the mood that Anderson creates in a picture that makes him such a talented filmmaker, no matter how obviously different and absurd it may seem.
One addition to the film that only adds to the excitement of witnessing another Anderson triumph is the short film that precedes the showing of the feature. The prologue, "Hotel Chevalier" is a 13-minute short featuring Schwartzman as Jack, who is staying in a hotel in France. He is visited by his ex-girlfriend, played by Natalie Portman.
Though the audience is not given the complete background between them, Jack is obviously bitter toward Portman's character, helping the audience better understand his anxiety with the situation. What follows is an emotional, sexy interlude between the two, which is a bit surprising to see in an Anderson film. Portman’s role is, without a doubt, a highlight.
While the sexual happenings in “Hotel Chevalier” may be a surprise, the details that combine the two stories is something that can be both expected and appreciated by Anderson fans and moviegoers alike. Anderson’s flare for continuity (discussion of Jack’s traveling from France and Jack’s keeping the robe from the hotel) only shows the thought and detail that is put into a film like “The Darjeeling Limited.”
Along with a great cast, appearance, storyline and soundtrack (featuring The Rolling Stones and The Kinks), audiences will no doubt enjoy the cameos made by Anderson film veterans. A small appearance from Bill Murray (“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”) and a minor role from Anjelica Huston (“The Royal Tenenbaums”) only add to fans' satisfaction.
Many expectations have likely been set in the three years since Anderson’s last motion picture. Thankfully, these hopes are not to be dashed. “The Darjeeling Limited” lives up to the expectations for an amusing, heartwarming and aesthetically pleasing film from the beloved filmmaker.
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Speakeasy rating: A-
Running time: 1 hour 31 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for language
Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy and Drama