Former lobby-boy (Tony Revolo) and now owner, Zero Mustafa (F. Murray Abraham) Tony recounts the events that led him to become the owner of the Grand Budapest Hotel to a young writes (Jude Law). Under the tutelage of M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), Zero embarks on a great adventure which includes a stolen painting and a the death of hotel patron to become a trusted friend of M. Gustave.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is a poetic masterpiece of story-telling, direction, costuming and scoring. Anderson brings his trademark miniatures and framing to envelope what is a keenly written script. Fiennes steals the show from a stacked ensemble cast. He cuts quite a silhouette in uniform. Anderson hands him some of the best dialogue since 'The Life Aquatic'.
Joining Fiennes on this adventure are all the names Anderson fans have come to love. Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartmann, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, and Wilem Dafoe all return as does Edward Norton, Waris Ahluwalia, and Bob Balaban. Welcome aboard to Law, Saoirse Ronan, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton.
Anderson continues his mixed media with the use of miniatures and animation. It feels familiar but fresh. And true to form, Anderson throws some dark unexpected moments amid the pastel-colored absurdity that are guaranteed to make you gasp. His mastery of restraint remains and his keen eye for frame composition is just a delight.
As I see it, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a masterful addition to Anderson's canon. Only time will tell if The Grand Budapest Hotel will surpass The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou for my favorite Anderson film, but clearly will give it a run for the money as the most quotable.
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