Four out of
Five stars
Running time:
91 mins plus
13 min prequel
Hugely enjoyable, delightfully quirky comedy drama from director Wes Anderson, featuring a witty script, gorgeous photography, a superb soundtrack and terrific performances from its three leads.
What's it all about?
Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums) follows The Life Aquatic with this delightfully quirky comedy drama starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman as three American brothers who embark on a spiritually bonding train ride across India on the Darjeeling Limited. The brothers haven't spoken to each other since their father's death a year ago but each of them is keen to reconnect with each other and become close like they used to be.
The trip has been organised by the older brother, Francis (Wilson), who eventually reveals that he also plans to reunite them with their mother (Angelica Huston), who has joined a Himalayan convent. However, due to a series of unforeseen events involving Indian cough syrup, a snake and some pepper spray, the brothers find themselves kicked off the train and stranded in the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer and a laminating machine.
The Good
The script, by Anderson, Schwartzman and Roman Coppola, is packed with wonderful lines (
The Germans are bothering me) and quirky, off-the-wall moments, while also generating a real warmth between the bickering brothers. It's also beautifully shot with rich, colourful cinematography by Robert Yeoman that really captures the character of the Indian landscapes.
Brody, Schwartzman and Wilson make a terrific onscreen trio, sparking off each other brilliantly, to frequently hilarious effect. There's also great support from Angelica Huston and a charming, dialogue-free cameo from Bill Murray.
The Great
Like Tarantino, Anderson's films are known for their eclectic must-have soundtracks and The Darjeeling Limited is no exception, with a superb score that incorporates themes from Satyajit Ray and Merchant Ivory movies, alongside Kinks and Stones tracks.
Worth seeing?
In short, The Darjeeling Limited is a hugely entertaining, wonderfully directed comedy drama that is both hilarious and moving. It's also preceded by Hotel Chevalier, a short prequel to the film starring Schwartzman and Natalie Portman. Highly recommended.