The Darjeeling Limited

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If you haven't cared for Wes Anderson movies in the past, THE DARJEELING LIMITED will probably not help you get over that hurdle. In my opinion, his flat-out funniest film is still THE ROYAL TENNANBAUMS...but if you don't like that, it's hard to imagine you would like DARJEELING.On the other hand, if you're a fan of the quirky, dead-pan, drier than dust humor, coupled with unorthodox camera work (a motionless camera, or a camera that moves side to side but seldom in and out) and fanciful art direction, DARJEELING should be your cup of tea (pun intended).Three estranged brothers, each carrying a load of psychic baggage, come together on a ramshackle train in India to go our a "journey of spiritual growth." This journey has been arranged by the oldest brother, Owen Wilson. He tells them that he wants them to bond and grow close again. And in a way, this is true...but it also appears he wants them to help each other come to terms with the grief over their father's death (although he may not even realize this is a goal) and he has one other destination in mind that is a big secret (which I'll try not to spoil here.)Middle brother is Adrien Brody, who is expecting to become a father any day now, but hasn't even bothered to tell his wife that he's going on this trip. His grief over the loss of his father is mostly obviously displayed, because he is wearing this father's glasses, even though the prescription probably isn't right for him.The youngest brother is Jason Schwartzman, who is grappling with a prolong breakup with his girlfriend (played by Natalie Portman in a little movie called HOTEL CHEVALIER which is now thankfully being played as part of this film's theatrical release. I can't imagine enjoying DARJEELING properly without having seen it). Schwartzman is also a writer, and he has brought with him a handwritten draft of a new short story which obviously has resonance for his brothers.These three are oddballs, to say the least. They really don't belong in India, and really struggle to get along with each other. They are classic Anderson characters, removed from their emotions, full of verbal and physical quirks and tics, supremely intelligent and hugely sad.At the beginning of the film, Bill Murray makes a brief cameo appearance. Is there any actor better at being funny with so much sadness working today? In LOST IN TRANSLATION, his character, while witty, was burdened with sadness. In Anderson's much maligned THE LIFE AQUATIC, Murray is nearly crippled with his sadness. Murray has brought this to an art form not really seen since perhaps the time of Chaplin. So his early appearance in DARJEELING almost helps to set that mood of sadness that permeates virtually every moment of the film. But this does not make it oppressive. The beautiful country of India, the colorful settings (the train itself is a marvel of design) and the off-the-wall incidents that occur keep the audience happily engaged.What I like about Anderson's characters is that they generally do not carry anger. So often in films, characters who are grieving or holding in some other emotion will frequently burst out in anger or violence. It's become an easy cliché. However, Anderson's characters are sad. They tamp down on that sadness, and when it does bubble up, it's seldom a physical explosion, but more of a collapse. They are touchingly simple moments, usually. Because the characters have spent most of the movie squashing their feelings, when they DO come up, it is all the more effective for the viewer. There are moments in DARJEELING of simple, touching sadness...and they are very effective.So yes, this is not a happy movie. I think in many ways, people are turned off by the films because they are expecting a quirky but harmless comedy. However, in ROYAL TENNANBAUMS, Ben Stiller has a scene of such startling sadness and pain that it is almost too much for the viewer. In LIFE ACQUATIC, Murray's character suffers a very painful loss near the end of the film, taking the viewer into an area that they probably didn't want to go. And DARJEELING has a couple of moments that are totally unexpected, including a scene when the brothers are kicked off the train for bad behavior and wander into a rural village just in time to plunge into some earth-shattering events. I know some viewers and some critics find the change in tone shocking and unwelcome. For me, it was a powerful moment...and a poignant one. Also, a vivid reminder that just because a movie (or life) appears to be going in one direction...don't be surprised if it takes a different turn.All three leads are terrific. It's particularly nice to see Wilson back in form...reminding us that he is capable of something other than the complete goofball he can play in his sleep. Angelica Huston has a small, but critical role and she is very good too.Also, I have to mention the terrific soundtrack. The three obscure songs from The Kinks are highlights for me, and turned the album into a must have! I never dreamed that "Powerman" would ever be used in a film...but it's brilliant.As I wrote this review, I realized that I was going to have to see the movie again this weekend. I can't wait for the DVD release. To me, it was that good. But again, if you don't like Anderson films, you probably won't like this one either (although, I can keep my fingers crossed that you may try anyway...and end up impressed.)

This is not your typical comedy. It is very nearly a "dark comedy" except that it very specifically *doesn't* make light of those difficult topics. It wallows in them.There are no punchlines, *almost* no slapstick, and even the silliest scenes carry with them an undertone of the premise: three grieving, nearly estranged brothers come together for a journey of spiritual healing.That doesn't sound like a comedy plot to begin with. Yet, amidst the fraternal tension and the somber purpose of the trip, the main characters find themselves in a number of admittedly comical situations. Nothing outrageous or fantastic, but nearing absurdity to be sure.The casting is well balanced, with Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman being veterans of this kind of darker, subdued, more down to earth comedy. And Adrien Brody is an incredible dramatic actor. These three actors have a very real brotherly synergy about them, and I found each of their characters compelling in different ways.The film is rife with gorgeous visuals, realistic dialog, and a few marvelous cameos by Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, and Natalie Portman!!If you're on the fence about whether you love or hate this movie, do yourself a favor. Wait a bit, and give it another go.

I've liked all of the Wes Anderson movies I've seen, and this one is no exception. It has the hallmarks I recognize in his films: odd characters, odd events, some strange dialogue, great music, humor, and the sense that it is all deadly serious for the characters involved.When Anderson's first movie that became well known, "Rushmore," was released, a lot of critics discussed the unusual but perfect selection of pop and jazz music that made up the soundtrack. His later films have interesting soundtracks also. I like the one for "Darjeeling Limited" because, among other music, it uses some songs from the Kinks' album "Lola vs. The Powerman and the Money-go-round." I didn't expect that, but it worked perfectly in the scenes in which it appeared.The soundtrack also includes what I myself consider one to be one of the worst songs of all time -- or at least the one with the worst lyrics: Peter Sarstedt's "Where Do You Go to My Lovely?" It's a little jarring to hear, but it works in the context.WARNING: The Amazon film does NOT include the Anderson's short film "Hotel Chevalier," which was shown as a prelude to "Darjeeling Limited" in the movie theaters. The two films are connected. I recommend watching the short film on youtube before watching the feature film.

Three lost, clueless, privileged twenty-somethings on a "spiritual journey" who don't know spiritual when it jumps up and bites them. Hilarious exploration of character, not just the boys, but their broken family and lives of the Indian locals they encounter. One serious flaw with this product: The theatrical run included a short melodrama at the start starring Nataly Portman which turns out to be a script which one of the boys has written and they talk about through the main feature. The moment late in the movie when you realize what they're talking about is a dizzying moment, lost here bcz we don't get to see the short. Otherwise, a typically great Wes Anderson confection.