Wes Anderson, director of Moonrise Kingdom and Fantastic Mr. Fox, has given a gift to the theatres with his new film, The Grand Budapest Hotel. According to The Guardian, The Grand Budapest Hotel has collected over $104 million in the global box offices. Not only has the film been Anderson’s most successful, but it is a triumph with its opulence of scenery and language.

The film begins with the Author, played by Tom Wilkinson and Jude Law. His story starts in 1968 when he arrives at the Hotel. He became fascinated with Mr. Zero Moustafa and how he bought the Grand Budapest. Mr. Moustafa told The Author that he never bought it. Over a lamb and wine, the central tale of the Grand Budapest is introduced.

M. Gustave, played by Ralph Fiennes, is a very fastidious and devoted concierge who is able to access his civility and charm at any time. This character is fascinating because it is never clear where he came from, but he is the “glimmer of civilization left in this barbaric slaughterhouse.”

A young Zero, Tony Revolori, becomes acquainted with M. Gustave when he is appointed as the new lobby boy. Zero is a boy of innocence and looks up to Gustave which creates a brotherly bond between the two. This bond is a driving force within the film.

The conflict of the film resides in the will of Madame D., Tilda Swinton. Madame D. leaves the masterpiece, Boy with Apple, to M. Gustave. The plot thickens when the police arrest Gustave for the murder of Madame D, turning the movie into an adventure. Along with the murder mystery, there is political struggle, chases, and much more.

     The Grand Budapest Hotel has its own color palette of pink, red, plum, and white which really captures the eye and constructs the film as a piece of art. The decorations and scenery could be compared to the Mendl’s Courtesan Au Chocolat that is featured quite heavily.

As a comedy, The Grand Budapest was hilarious with its perfect use of language, timing, and action. One of the best characters to show this comedy was M. Gustave. He speaks so eloquently, so it is all the more humorous to hear him react. When he is uncivil, his demeanor disguises it as wonderfully proper.

Overall, The Grand Budapest Hotel was magnificent in casting, design, writing, and direction.