THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL: Year’s most beautiful Film! A Masterstroke on screen…literally! [4/5]

‘The former Republic of Zubrowka’; now I don’t have any clue even in its most blurred vision that where on earth this breathtakingly mystical state of God’ own artwork is located at but it definitely finds a place in your heart with its most charming narrative, simply unbelievable picturesque visuals and most sophisticated yet chaotically hilarious characters I have ever come across. Wes Anderson’s THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL is a magic-box full of color-decorated candies that not only appear the most fascinating objects of desire at the nearest confectionary store but also put assorted, surprising and tickling flavors on your taste-buds.

Inspired by the writings of Austrian novelist Stefen Zweig, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL transports you to a magnificently painted world where every sight is a visual treat with colors flowing all over; even under the skin-tissues of its highly adorable characters. The writer of a memoir [Jude Law] recalls his widely treasured stay in the most celebrated establishment of its times and manages to discover interesting incidents happened between the present owner Zero Moustafa [F. Murray Abraham] who had once started as a lobby boy  there and its then caretaker-cum-supervisor Monsieur Gustave [Ralph Fiennes]. Monsieur Gustave is an adequately dressed charming man who certainly knows how to make his guests’ day and that doesn’t make him any uncertain to go under sheets with rich women much older than him.

The ride begins when one of Gustave’s devoted patrons Madam ‘D’ [played by Tilda Swinton] takes her last breath in mysterious circumstances and Monsieur Gustave has to take part in her last ceremonies including reading of the will. Inheriting one of the most valuable paintings she possessed, Gustave is now on the top in the ‘hate-list’ of family members and the ‘Hit-list’ of a cold-blooded assassin [Willem Dafoe in his most surprising avatar] they have hired. The younger version of Zero Moustafa as the lobby boy [Tony Rivolori in his impressive debut] accompanying Gustave is the prime and constant witness to the story.

Two key fronts on which THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL scores highest, are the technical brilliance and the smartest of wit in the writing! This is probably the finest example of putting writer’s imagination perfectly right on the bigger canvas of cinema. The eyes of the viewers are always found in conflict with the mind if the frames on screen are of a motion picture or a painting on wall? If detailed and the most scrupulous production design or excellent camerawork from tranquil track shots to crisp zoom-ins does wonders for the look, subtle humor-sophisticated wit and very reasoned  smartness in the writing fills you with utter joy. The performer-brigade helmed by Ralph Fiennes is outstanding. Ralph’s Monsieur Gustave will charm you with a flawless and delightful performance. In rest, Willem Dafoe amazes you as Jopling-the assassin. Edward Norton and Bill Murray’s special appearances are enjoyable.

But one thing that can’t be missed out in this whole 100 minute stay at THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL is the signature stamp of Wes Anderson all over it. The characters having more colors than its vivacious backgrounds and the frames with more characters to them! This is a cinematic experience that will leave you ‘Gespannt wie ein Flitzebogen’; on the edge of your seat, it means. DO NOT MISS IT! [4/5]      

THE MONUMENTS MEN: Forced, forged and forgettable! Historic Disappointment!! [2.5/5]

In the midst of World War II, when Hitler- the Fuehrer was busy slaughtering humanity, demolishing civilization and bull-dozing every pillar of culture here and there, a group of art-readers, historians and curators decides to locate and save the sculptures, paintings and art-materials captured in the war. Now this is based on a real story and it does sound an all exhilarating experience to relive-revive and retold on screen in a greater manner but sadly, written & directed by George Clooney THE MONUMENTS MEN dies a death of a promising idea gone lost in between. Despite being crispier in duration of the film, it looks forced, forged and forgettable event, in cinema at least.

Lt. Stokes [played by Clooney himself] forms a squad of 7 art-lovers well-known for their experiences with art and certainly not with the war to search for stolen artworks in the war field. Like most in any mission, the troop includes a couple of grumpy, fighting for nothing old men [Bill Murray and Bob Balaban], one heavy, plumpy, stout man [John Goodman], one ever-smiling young man [Jean Dujardin] and a quite somber man with vision [Matt Damon]. The more disorganized team looks, the more thrilling experience it would promise to the viewers, that’s the unsaid rule of any mission oriented plot. THE MONUMENTS MEN had it in concept but soon they land on the ground level, Clooney fails to hold the plot together. The shattered screenplay couldn’t shift focus from talking endlessly about how important it is to save those artworks to the real action on real location.

With a list of clean performers on board, beautiful cinematography, grandeur look, high-end production value, Clooney sets the atmosphere for a perfect war crime thriller but writing doesn’t support well in creating any recognizable nail-biting moment for instance. Scenes swing from one to other not much in concern to make story forward but establishing the actors and giving them a sustainable job. Humor is tried but doesn’t meet its desired end at most. Matt Damon trying his hands on different languages and every time people advising him stick to English only is one joke that gets repeated at regular. Luckily, that doesn’t go with Bill Murray and Bob Balaban. They are the only of the lot who gets maximum number of impressive scenes and some real comic ones. Cate Blanchett looks her part.

Overall, where most Hollywood films have proved themselves in extracting the inhuman catastrophe of war and the heroic efforts to save mankind to its maximum and on a larger canvas, George Clooney’s THE MONUMENTS MEN fails to grip, grasp and grab preferred attention. It is a disappointment and an average heist movie with lesser number of hi-points. Avoid it even if you’re a hardcore fan of every actor in the brigade! [2.5/5]