Sunday, April 6, 2014

Grand Budapest Hotel

Just saw this movie Friday and the word to describing it is "charming."

It's the first time I've seen Ralph Fiennes in a role that I liked him in. The story within a story within a story is satisfyingly convoluted, and is obviously a pre-WW II corollary. The many cameos were amusing (Bill Murray etc). Ed Norton is pitch-perfect as a military officer. And F. Murray Abraham is his usual brilliant self. Tilda Swinton is unrecognizable and excellent as a raddled old peeress. Harvey Keitel is almost wasted in a minor role but, as usual, does it well. And then there was Willem Dafoe who stole every scene he was in, even when he's just standing silent in a corner.

But the locations trumped everything. There were several real castles (in Germany) used and they were magnificent -- wood-paneled libraries, sumptuous dining rooms, and more. Fabulous scenery, too.

All in all, a fun flick.

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