“I wonder if the three of us would’ve been friends in real life. Not as brothers, but as people.” —Jack
Today’s quick review: The Darjeeling Limited. After nearly dying in a motorcycle accident, Francis Whitman (Owen Wilson) invites his estranged brothers Peter (Adrien Brody) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman) on a spiritual journey aboard The Darjeeling Limited, a train traveling across India. Along the way, the trio take in the local color, confront challenges both spiritual and logistical, and manage to overcome some of their shared issues.
The Darjeeling Limited is an unconventional comedy from director Wes Anderson. The Darjeeling Limited features a strong artistic vision, a quietly talented cast, and a meticulous directorial style. The film’s understated humor stems from its peculiar characters, their petty conversations, and the utterly dry presentation of absurd situations. As a result, the comedy is more cerebral than emotional, relying more on tone than individual jokes.
The Darjeeling Limited’s style is characteristic of Wes Anderson. The cinematography relies almost exclusively on square shots and simple zooms, with an emphasis on symmetry and framing. The environments are colorful and richly detailed, and the film’s yellow-gold color palette that fits the tone well. The acting is unemotional, with most of the characterization tucked away in minute facial expressions, minor pieces of dialogue, and other subtle clues.
However, The Darjeeling Limited lacks the punch of Wes Anderson’s other work. The story eventually resolves itself into a touching tale about three brothers with a lot of baggage, but it relies on style to keep the viewer engaged for the first two-thirds. The movie accomplishes plenty with the tools at its disposal, but those looking for a punchy comedy like The Grand Budapest Hotel or a masterpiece of stylization like Moonrise Kingdom will be disappointed.
The Darjeeling Limited is worth a watch for anyone who enjoys thoughtful cinematography, quirky writing, and unconventional humor. Though it lacks the overt humor and sharp plot needed to match Wes Anderson’s best work, its craftsmanship is enough to make it a unique and interesting experience. Those looking for cheap laughs should look elsewhere. Those who are new to Wes Anderson may want to check out The Grand Budapest Hotel instead.
As a side note, The Darjeeling Limited was released with a 13-minute short film named Hotel Chevalier. The short film is a well-directed but uneventful scene that sheds light on Jack’s activities before the events of the movie. Its main value is in setting up a few subtle jokes in the main film, but it can be skipped without much loss.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fine craftsmanship and charming moments, but missing that extra punch.