There's Just Something Magic
By
J. Sternberg
While many here at Dorkgasm are quick to dismiss Wes Anderson's work as a handful stories about rich kids with problems, I cannot stress enough that his particular brand intelligent, dark and dry humor is exactly the medicine Hollywood needs.
I won't bog you down with a synopsis of
The Darjeeling Limited. Basically, three brothers, played by Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody and Owen Wilson gather and go on a spiritual journey on a train through India with 11 suitcases, a printer, a laminating machine and handfuls of Indian medications.
While the spirituality of the journey may come into questions at times, the reality of the characters comes across yet again as Anderson's trademark wink, leaving you feeling like you've gotten to know three very real people by the end of the film.
While Schwartzman and Wilson may be alums, (this being Schwartzman's first writing credit with Anderson, he starred in Rushmore, while Wilson has been in front of and behind the camera more than once) Adrien Brody finally redeems himself from playing the 321st mentally handicapped citizen of M. Knight Shamalammadingdong's
The Suckfest, you know, the one with the twist?
Click image to visit the site
Brody fits perfectly with the writing and dialog, like he was made for it. He plays believably off of his brothers like anyone with siblings would. The real magic of a Wes Anderson film is that they have this completely engrossing nature. It may be his close, center framed cinematography, or his brilliant use of dissected stage sets (like the Belafonte in
Life Aquatic, or the various boxcars of subconscious in
Limited) but regardless, you get sucked into a world that seems very dramatic, yet not unlike home.
You may knock the film for Owen Wilson playing virtually the same character he always plays, but I have to come to his defense by stating no one plays that nervous, quick talking, confidence lacking character as well as he can.
In the end, the film isn't Anderson's best work, but its still something you should see. Unlike his previous films, the soundtrack while fitting, wasn't a solidifying undertone to the film, but more like typical scene fitting background fair.
The DVD also contains the limited run short
Hotel Chevalier as a bonus, which serves as the prologue to youngest brother Jack's (Schwartzman) character. For those pure perverts out there, this is to my knowledge the only way to see Natalie Portman's ass naked.
Bottom line: The film is a great escape compared to the mindless drivel you typically run into (see my thoughts on
Superhero Movie if you need clarification) and for Anderson fans, its a must see. While his other work may make you laugh harder, or even cry a little,
The Darjeeling Limited is a solid film, and its worth the 91 minutes you'll invest watching it. Its a great film for those of you who found
Art School Confidential, or
Lost In Translation magical. If you don't like dry or dark humor, you'll probably be turned off, but you've got plenty of other options out there. Hell, I heard there are 16 new Will Ferrell movies coming out this month, where he plays a loud mouthed, quasi retarded, middle aged moron with a championship to win, or a job to do.
I give The Darjeeling Limited 3.5 "let's have a drink and a cigarette"s out of 5.
