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A Movie on the Right Track Favorite Movie Quote: "I wonder if the three of us would've been friends in real life. Not as brothers, but as people." If you are anything like me, I bet you've had dreams about Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman working together onscreen. Those are good nights for sleeping, I tell ya. But wait! Dream no further! This dream has come true in Wes Anderson's new flick, The Darjeeling Limited. Oh man. What a film. I was walking down Pleasant St. in Northampton a few weekends ago when I spotted the poster in the window of the theater. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared in awe. I couldn't believe it and I had to see it as soon as possible. This was a Wes Anderson film, after all. I invited my friend Aliya along for the experience and we traveled to Northampton one evening for the show. Let me tell you about it. Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited is a story about three brothers, Francis (Owen Wilson; The Royal Tenenbaums; Wedding Crashers), Peter (Adrian Brody; The Village, The Pianist) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman, I Heart Huckabees, Spun) who haven't seen each other since their father's funeral one year ago. They meet in India by request of Francis who wants them "to become brothers again" and travel together on a spiritual journey made up entirely of completely random happenings, wonderfully entertaining dialogue, and beautiful images (not to mention beautiful men). So, this movie was pretty much the most random thing ever. Overall though, I really enjoyed it, and I think Aliya did too. It was a series of crazy happenings connected through the same three characters, and we decided that it had a strange feeling to it, probably because other Wes Anderson movies, such as The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic had big ensemble casts. This movie was really tight on these three brothers. But they were very entertaining to watch, so no real complaints. My one real criticism of the movie was that the symbolism throughout seemed too forced at parts. It seemed like all the metaphors that related to their life were at times being beaten into our brains. All through the film the three guys are hauling around eleven suitcases. Eleven! It is their baggage throughout the film, but clearly it is also their baggage in their own lives. But then, at the end of the film, they are running to catch the train and won't make it with all the bags, so, in a classic Wes Anderson slow-mo scene, the brothers throw their baggage off the train. A beautiful scene, yes. But, come on Wes, I almost expect more from you. There were some things that I absolutely loved about the film. The costumes. Designed by Milena Canonero seemed to fit both the story and the characters wonderfully. The gold bathrobe stolen from the Hotel Chavelier that Jack has spent the last few months in, the blue swirly sleep mask that Peter sleeps in, and the 3,000 dollar shoes that Francis owned, seemed to compliment the characters lifestyle in some way. Francis had a need for material items, the way he kept asking Peter, "Are those dad's keys?" or, "Is that dad's razor?"; Jack has just spent the last few months of his life in a Hotel being depressed about his ex-girlfriend and he wears the bathrobe to show that his life is falling apart; Peter is having problems at home, with his wife and his unborn child and he doesn't really want a part in anything, so the eye mask is a way of him not having to see anything. He also wears sunglasses throughout most of the movie. The music was also fabulous. Wes Anderson and Cameron Crowe are two directors who know their music. Unlike Wes's other films though, this movie was not scored by Mark Mothersbaugh. I was a bit upset at first, and then realized that the new music was completely fitting. There was actually no original score, rather versions of already written songs with Indian sounds to them. Then there were those few songs by The Kinks, perfectly placed throughout the movie. The slow-motion scene at the funeral was my favorite, keep a look out. I don't know if you've been on the internet recently, but you may have seen the advertisements for the short film, Hotel Chevalier, which plays before The Darjeeling Limited. Now, for some reason The Pleasant St. Theater wasn't playing it before when I saw it, but I think they said they were going to start. But, I would recommend seeing it before you go, if you can. I believe it is free on iTunes. There are a few references to Jack's ex-girlfriend, or to the hotel, and I think things are clearer if you watch the short before. There's some hott make out parts. Now, I won't go on and on about how hott and sexy Owen and Jason were. But, I will a little bit. Even with his face bandaged up and his eyes black and blue, Owen Wilson can still steal my heart. I don't know how he does it. His hair was greasy and he walked with a limp, but man, I couldn't get enough. And, Jason. Oh, Jason. I will love Jason forever. The way his dark hair falls into his face, the sad look in his eyes just asking me for a hug, and every single other thing about him makes me melt. I will never have enough. The Darjeeling Limited is a wonderful journey with three guys who seem to become your best friend by the end of the film. We experience their ups and downs, the moments they hate each other and the moments where they seem like brothers again. Go see it with your friend, your classmate, or your sibling and you'll laugh and you'll sympathize and you'll feel just a little bit sad as you're watching the train leave, while you're still standing on the platform. email this review to a friend
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