9/10

Wes Anderson’s latest film is his masterpiece. This film stars Ralph Fienes as the manager of a prestigious hotel in 1928. He has affairs with older rich ladies who rent out the rooms, and he gets in trouble when one of them dies and leaves him a valuable painting. Wes Anderson really hit a home run with this one. Besides it’s usual quirkiness, it has absolutely amazing coloring. Possibly the best i have ever seen. Each scene is highlighted with beautiful shades that radiate off the hotel walls. The same Anderson camera angles are there as well. Back with stop motion perfection that makes any fan of his work smile. The film is littered with it’s usual list of actors that make the best of every scene, but some aren’t given enough time to shine.Bill Murray, Jude Law and F Murray Abraham are only present in a couple of scenes, but you will wish for more as they each give a different sort of charismatic charm to the roles they play. Fienes is absolutely amazing in this role. He has comedic timing that is relevant of the 1940’s style of cinema. Adrian Brody and Willam Dafoe also shine as the son and bodyguard of the deceased madam. They are after Fienes because they feel like he slept his way to the riches. Dafoe is silent but dangerous as a man who breaks all the rules to restore happiness to his client. It is in this role that Wes clearly has seen the SNL skit about him (See The Midnight Cotterie of Sinister Intruders). This film starts to have touches of a horror movie midway through with a dead cat, a severed head and a finger slicing scene that will have you wincing by how quick it happens. I like this darker side of Anderson, and wouldn’t be against seeing it in more of his films. The storyboard sets are also amazing. Some far away shots of the film are done by plastic castle models made nine feet tall. Anderson knew the audience would know the shot was manufactured, so he went with an old school style of building much like the old Godzilla films did. Many people have criticized this and one other scene in the film for it’s practical computer effects, but i think they are just right. They add a cheesy campy feel to the film that adds to the dry comedy. If i have one problem with this film, it is the ending. Characters don’t pay the price for some of the crimes they commit, so it’s a little odd when everyone ends on good terms. Anderson is always known for his odd endings, but this one just didn’t sit right with me. With the exception of that, it’s a perfect film. I will definitely be grabbing this one when it hits DVD shelves so i can see all of the things i missed in the wide angle shots. Every Anderson fan has to see this film. I can’t recommend it to everyone though since his comedic humor is kind of an acquired taste. I will leave the trailer below at the bottom and you can judge for yourself. Excellent film.