Thursday 22 January 2015

Run time: 1hr 39 mins. PG 15. Starring Ralph Fiennes, F Murray Abraham, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton.
The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous Hungarian hotel between the First and Second World Wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. Director Wes Anderson creates his own universe, full of colourful characters, old-world charm and witty one-liners. The story is not very important, because it is merely a vehicle for the stunning visuals, the dark humour and the rapid-fire dialogue. Gustave H. is being chased by various villains for stealing a painting, and all this is set against the backdrop of the Nazis invading Central Europe (although in Anderson's fantasy world they are not called Nazis of course). Some of the scenes are very funny, but there is always a darker tone because of the looming war. (Contains strong language, sex references and brief gory images.)