The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

 

Year: 2014
Running Time: 100 minutes
Director: Wes Anderson
Writers: Stefan Zweig (based on the writings by), Hugo Guinness (story), Wes Anderson (story and screenplay)
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Jude Law, Tony Revolori, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, William H. Macy, Saoirse Ronan, Mathieu Amalric, Lea Seydoux, Harvey Keitel

The Grand Budapest Hotel will be released in Australia on the 10th April and is distributed by 20th Century Fox. Now showing in the United States and United Kingdom.

Wes Anderson's latest piece of cinema, The Grand Budapest Hotel is absolutely nothing short of grand itself. There is so much to marvel at during a viewing of this quirky but brilliant film. So much that you feel as though you need to watch it again just in case you missed something the first time around, and this is no bad thing. The whole film is a beautiful piece of art thanks to it's amazing visuals, extraordinary cinematography, interesting characters and wonderful screenplay.

While a young writer (Jude Law) is staying at the tired and rundown Grand Budapest Hotel, he meets the hotel's owner, Mr Mustafa (F. Murray Abraham) and enquires how he came to own the hotel. Mustafa tells the young writer of how he was a lobby boy (played by Tony Revolori) at the hotel between the wars and developed a close friendship with the concierge, M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). The intriguing tale of how these two became so close is one of theft, murder and adventure.

This is absolutely Wes Anderson's most visually beautiful film to date. There is not enough that can be said about the incredible production design employed in The Grand Budapest Hotel. Each shot is a unique piece of artwork carefully designed to create both awe and intrigue in the viewer.  From the very first scene in the cemetery, you are completely enthralled by how interesting the location is and the interest stirred in this opening continues throughout the film. The models of the hotel itself and of the structures among the mountains are just exquisite and somewhat playful at the same time. What does strike you watching the film is how neat and clean cut it is. Everything in the background of each shot is perfectly symmetrical from the pigeonholes at the hotel's front desk, to the prison beds to the formation of the soldiers on the train. While many of the shots employed are not uncommon in Anderson's body of work, this is the best use of his signature techniques thus far.

Before The Grand Budapest Hotel was released, there were several instructions sent out to the cinemas who would be showing this film. These instructions included using widescreen in panoramic shots and shortening the screen in others, a great technique as it draws the audience into the picture more. The musical score is also extraordinarily intriguing, particularly in the parts of high tension when the music would have you believe you are watching a horror or thriller film from the 1930's. The Grand Budapest Hotel is also extremely atmospheric and nostalgic of it's time and place in an unique fashion. You can smell the scent of the hotel in both it's glory days and it's harsh times, as well as feel the cold and harshness of the conditions in the European state of unrest.

The screenplay, based on the writings of  Stefan Zweig, is also very good. Through the film you know where it is heading, but you don't know how it is getting there and the way it gets there is not as interesting as the visuals, but still extremely entertaining. People familiar with other Wes Anderson films such as The Royal Tenenbaums and The Darjeeling Limited will know that Anderson's brand of humour is not the stereotypical Hollywood humour, and that this unconventional, quirky sense of humour may strike some members of the audience as weird and dull. However, the ones who do appreciate this quirkiness will be pleased. There are not many moments where you feel like rolling on the floor laughing, but are many amusing pieces of dialogue and comedic timing by the performers.

The Grand Budapest Hotel has an impressive stellar cast, many who have worked with Anderson before and again perform well under his guidance. Ralph Fiennes is wonderful as M. Gustave. He has a tremendous amount of character and although some of his practises are questionable to say the least, he is very likable. His entertaining dialogue is delivered exquisitely with perfect timing and emotion where called for.

An unrecognisable Tilda Swinton's role is somewhat brief, but her time on screen as Gustave's much older lover is definitely memorable.It is a pleasure to see F. Murray Abraham on screen, as his charisma gives off an air of respect and importance, although in the most subtle way. Adrien Brody and William H. Macy are the villains of the story and are really a lot of fun, particularly Macy.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is an absolute cinematic treat. There is real fun to be had with this film and if you love Wes Anderson's unique film making style, this is nothing short of a masterpiece.

8.5/10

The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer
Year: 2011
Director: Brad Furman
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei, Josh Lucas, William H. Macy

In My Own Words
Finally, another Michael Connelly novel has been made into a movie! This could well be a very self indulgent "In My Own Words" as I am a big fan thriller books written by such authors as Michael Connelly. To my despair, this is only the second Connelly book to be made into a movie. The first one was "Blood Work" which was directed by and starred Clint Eastwood in 2002. My personal favourite Connelly novel is "The Poet". I would love to see this book made into a movie. Is it just me or does it seem like the 1990's and early 2000's were a popular time for adapatations of thriller novels from the likes of John Grisham and other authors such as Jeffrey Deaver and Connelly? It has been awhile since we have had an adaptation like this. I miss them. Well, I miss the ones that are done well. "The Lincoln Lawyer" has proven to be a good relief from that. It encourages me to go and read more thriller books as well. Some people hate them because they give them nightmares. Don't get me wrong, they do also give me nightmares, but I love nothing better than guessing till the end.  Also, it takes a great amount of intelligence and research to write a thriller book so I greatly respect the authors of these books who do what they do so well.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
Finally, a good lawyer, courtroom thriller that is completely and utterly worth watching. "The Lincoln Lawyer" is a return to form for the genre and also for star Matthew McConaughey. Based on the Michael Connelly novel of the same name, "The Lincoln Lawyer" brings back the intelligent and suspenseful crime dramas and makes them once again entertaining and impressive. Mick Haller (Matthe McConaughey) is the Los Angeles lawyer who would rather work out of his Lincoln than out of an office like a normal lawyer. He is approached to represent clean cut Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), who insists he is being set up by a woman who claims he has raped and violently assaulted her. Haller quickly finds out that he may not be representing as innocent a man as Roulet makes himself out to be. He finds himself in a place of guilt and confusion while trying to do what he is being paid for, but not holding any confidence or trust in his client.

Matthew McConaughey has an incredible return to form and this is his best role to date. McConaughey has shown in the past few years that he can do the action and fluff comedy roles with complete ease and do them well, but this role brings out in him what we all knew he had the potential for. McConaughey shines in this role. He is the primary focus and backbone of this film. He is perfect in this role and perfect in every scene. McConaughey completely becomes Haller and is completely likable, no matter who cocky his character can be at times. His character development is also wonderful. We have a complete sense of who Mick Haller is, where he has come from and what are the things that matter to him. He is a complete joy to watch.

The film is extremely well made. It captures the true essence of the rough around the edges Los Angeles of today and there is no mention of the Hollywood or Disneyland magic which the media loves to portray Los Angeles as being, which makes the film feel so real. The soundtrack and score is perfect for every scene and adds to the charm of the film. The cinematography is also perfect for the type of film which it is. The script is clever with some very witty banter between the characters. It is so great to see a film which is is story driven and character driven at the same time and is so successful at each.

Marisa Tomei is also commendable as Haller's " on again off again" love interest and mother of Haller's daughter, Maggie. She shows her versatility as an actress as all in the same role, she plays the doting single mother who's aim is to protect her daughter, the hard working and ruthless business woman and also the woman with just enough flirtation and femininity to make her completely desirable. Ryan Phillippe is fine in his role as Louis. He is great in some scenes and in some scenes it feels as though he just isn't believable in the part he is playing. Michael Pena is actaully fantastic in his smallish role as Haller's ex-client, Jesus Matinez. Not quite as believable is Margarita Levieva, as Louis' victim, Reggie. One would expect her to be slightly more emotional when on the stand talking about the night she was badly beaten while on the job.

Overall, "The Lincoln Lawyer" is a complete success and the role that Matthew McConaughey was always capable of doing while he was wasting his acting talents on other roles of lesser value. Director Brad Furman should be very proud of his achievement.
8.5/10