The Grand Budapest Hotel

Genre: Drama
Rating: 15
Warning: Mild Gore, Nazis

A fantastic introduction to Wes Anderson's signature symmetrical style, I was blown away by how beautifully made this film is. Being notable to a layperson viewer without distracting from the film is a difficult balance for film visuals. The use of space, motion and colour manage to really add to the plot, heightening the feeling of action and grandeur.

The visual treat that The Grand Budapest Hotel film is reflects the luxury and importance on appearance that The Grand Budapest Hotel hotel and staff have. The darkest point in the film, plotwise, is shown to us in black and white. The fast movement of characters through the large, still scene matches the fast movement of the characters' plot through the calmness and stillness of the 'bigger picture'.

The story is easy to follow, and just so exciting. Characters and plot points are well rounded by clear and defined almost immediately. On the edge of my seat as the events unfolded, the two mild gore moments caught me by surprise. The first was unexpected both in plot and in the non-horror of everything up to that second. Luckily, it's over in seconds and very mild. The second is expected, and similarly mild, but still managed to take me by surprise. When you get to the part where you think, "they won't show it, will they?", be ready for them to show it. 

​​Beautiful visuals aside, the plot is exciting and fun. Taking you through a crisis much bigger than the regular hotel crises, the story moves quickly in an even bigger crisis. World War II is beginning and the age of luxury the hotel exists in is ending, and while the characters are trying to deal with their own crisis they are trying to stop the larger crisis entering the hotel. Themes of lost eras and keeping  yourself a stable thing are at the core. Lighter viewings can be had, of course; it's a great film on all counts.