Set to hopefully warm up the freezing balls of Berlin early next year, Wes Anderson’s latest coterie of quirks, shenanigans and unparalleled cinematographic symmetry The Grand Budapest Hotel has been chosen to open the 64th Berlin Film Festival, which launches on the 6th of February. I don’t know about you, but I’m eagerly anticipating this. I approach any Anderson film the same way as I approach a box of presents during Christmas morning. Just looking at the list of cast makes me squeal with joy.
[infobox bg=”yellow” color=”black” opacity=”off” subtitle=”Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton, Mathieu Amalric, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Léa Seydoux, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and introducing Tony Revolori”]LIST OF CAST[/infobox]Anderson obviously indulges in his mild obsession with hotels (see The Royal Tenenbaums and the short Hotel Chevalier), but this looks like a full-blown, hotel-set high-jink. The director’s wry charm is still ever present, and so does his propensity for elaborate sets and meticulous details. And there’s Tilda Swinton’s pimped-up octogenarian who, for some dubious reasons, pops her clogs and giving Ralph Fiennes’ concierge the excuse to run around and start calling everyone ‘darling’. Including the police. I tell you, as a business proposal, you can practically wrap up Anderson’s affectations in a whimsical little package and put it out on Urban Outfitters. Believe me, it will sell.
No word yet whether I’m off to the festival, but crossing fingers, I’ll hopefully skate down Berlin’s icy avenues to chill out with Anderson and the gang.
Here’s the trailer for added effect:
Check out the fabulous poster, too.
