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The
Darjeeling Limited
(2007)
In this film, three estranged brothers whose father
died a year previously, decide to take a "spiritual"
journey through India by train (aboard the "Darjeeling
Limited") in order to reconnect with each other. The trio are Francis (Owen Wilson),
who was badly injured in a recent motorcycle accident
and who came up with the idea for the trip, Peter
(Adrien Brody), whose wife in the US is due to give
birth to their first child within a matter of weeks
and Jack (Jason Schwartzman), a writer who is
recovering from a painful break-up. As the train moves
through the Indian landscape the brothers, trapped
together in a tiny compartment aboard the train,
quickly grow tired of each other, and especially with
Francis' control-freak nature (he insists on giving
them daily laminated itinerary sheets), however, as the brothers' various painful
secrets are disclosed, the true purpose for the trip
is soon revealed.
Darjeeling Limited is very
similar in theme and style to writer/director Wes
Anderson's previous work, focusing on dysfunctional family relationships,
and the need for connection and approval, and is rife with his trademark
quirky and heavily stylised visuals. Like Rushmore and The Royal Tanenbaums before it, this film is a perfect blend of comedy and drama but will certainly not
appeal to all viewers.
The country of India provides
more than just a colourful and exotic backdrop to the
film, becoming almost like another character, a little
like Tokyo in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, which shared themes of displacement and searching
for connection and a place in the world with this film. Fans will
notice entertaining cameos from Anderson regulars such
as Bill Murray, Anjelica Huston and also French
director Barbet Schroeder.
Wes Anderson is frequently
criticised for style over substance, and to be fair
there might be some justification in that. Every
movement is perfectly choreographed and every frame is
packed with detail. However, as with his other films,
there is a strong emotional core here, and the cast
are perfect throughout. It has to be said, given
the knowledge of his recent troubles, that the sight of
Owen Wilson with his face wreathed in bandages and
plasters throughout most of the film has an added,
albeit unintentional, impact.
It is worth noting
that some screenings of the film are preceded by a
short film called Hotel Chevalier in which Jason
Schwartzman's character Jack meets his ex-girlfriend
(played by Natalie Portman) in a Paris hotel. The
short film, aside from being very entertaining in it's
own right, is actually quite important to a plot
development in the main film and is worth downloading (it is available on iTunes at no charge)
if it's not being screened with the main film in your
area.
While the quirky style and deadpan blend of
comedy and drama may not be to all viewers tastes,
this film is an unusual, moving and entertaining
treat, and ranks as one of the best comedies of 2007.
-Robert
Foster
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All contents ©
2004-2007 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
Wes
Anderson
Writer: Wes
Anderson & Roman Coppola & Jason Schwartzman
Starring: Owen
Wilson, Adrian Brody, Jason
Schwartzman, Anjelica Huston, Amara
Karan, Irfan Khan, Barbet Schroeder, Bill Murray, Natalie Portman
Distributor: Fox
Searchlight Pictures
Runtime: 91
min
Rating: R
Release Date: October
26, 2007
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