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The Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Shaun Nelson

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Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. Released in 2014, the film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $175 million worldwide against a production budget of $25 million. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, and won four awards for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.

The film is set in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka in the 1930s. The story is told through the eyes of Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori),a young lobby boy who befriends the eccentric concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes). Gustave is a man of impeccable taste and manners, but he is also a bit of a rogue. He is constantly getting into trouble, but he always manages to find a way out. Zero is drawn to Gustave's charisma and his sense of adventure. He sees in Gustave a kind of father figure, and he is determined to follow in his footsteps.

The Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel

by Matt Zoller Seitz

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	132544 KB
Print length	:	256 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a microcosm of the world. It is a place where people from all walks of life come together. There are wealthy guests, poor guests, criminals, and even royalty. Despite their differences, they all share a common goal: they are all looking for a place to belong. The hotel is a place where they can escape from the outside world and be themselves. It is a place where they can find love, loss, and redemption.

The film is full of Anderson's signature style. The cinematography is lush and colorful, and the sets are meticulously detailed. The costumes are elaborate and the characters are quirky and memorable. Anderson has a unique ability to create worlds that are both whimsical and emotionally resonant. The Grand Budapest Hotel is no exception. It is a film that will stay with you long after you see it.

Characters

The Grand Budapest Hotel features a cast of colorful and eccentric characters. Each character has their own unique story and motivations, and they all come together to create a rich and complex tapestry. Here are some of the main characters:

Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes) is the concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel. He is a man of impeccable taste and manners, but he is also a bit of a rogue. He is constantly getting into trouble, but he always manages to find a way out.
Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori) is a young lobby boy who befriends Gustave. He is drawn to Gustave's charisma and his sense of adventure. He sees in Gustave a kind of father figure, and he is determined to follow in his footsteps.
Madame D. (Tilda Swinton) is a wealthy widow who is staying at the Grand Budapest Hotel. She is a kind and compassionate woman, but she is also a bit lonely. She falls in love with Gustave, and they begin a passionate affair.
Dmitri (Adrien Brody) is Madame D.'s son. He is a ruthless and ambitious man who is determined to get his hands on his mother's fortune. He sees Gustave as a threat, and he is determined to destroy him.
Jopling (Willem Dafoe) is the hotel's enforcer. He is a large and intimidating man, but he is also loyal and protective of Gustave and Zero.

Setting

The Grand Budapest Hotel is set in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka in the 1930s. Zubrowka is a small and isolated country that is on the brink of war. The hotel is a microcosm of the world. It is a place where people from all walks of life come together. There are wealthy guests, poor guests, criminals, and even royalty. Despite their differences, they all share a common goal: they are all looking for a place to belong. The hotel is a place where they can escape from the outside world and be themselves. It is a place where they can find love, loss, and redemption.

Themes

The Grand Budapest Hotel explores a number of themes, including love, loss, and redemption. Gustave and Madame D.'s love affair is a central focus of the film. They are from two different worlds, but they are drawn to each other's kindness and compassion. Their love is passionate and intense, but it is also doomed from the start. Madame D. is dying, and Gustave knows that he will never be able to give her the happiness that she deserves. In the end, Gustave sacrifices his own happiness for Madame D.'s. He helps her to escape from Zubrowka and to live out her final days in peace.

The film also explores the theme of loss. Gustave loses everything in the war. He loses his hotel, his lover, and his friends. But even in the face of such loss, Gustave never gives up hope. He continues to fight for what he believes in, and he never loses his sense of humor. In the end, Gustave finds redemption in helping Zero to escape from Zubrowka and to start a new life.

Critical Reception

The Grand Budapest Hotel was a critical and commercial success. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, and won four awards for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design. The film was also praised by critics for its visuals, its acting, and its writing. Many critics called it one of the best films of the year.

Cultural Impact

The Grand Budapest Hotel has had a significant cultural impact. The film has been parodied and referenced in popular culture, and it has inspired a number of imitators. The film's unique visual style has also been influential in other films and television shows. The Grand Budapest Hotel is a film that will continue to be enjoyed by audiences for years to come.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. The film is a masterpiece of cinema and it is a must-see for anyone who loves film.

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