Finally saw “Darjeeling Limited” last night

So, last night Marsha and I finally saw Wes Anderson’s new film The Darjeeling Limited, of which I’ve previously blogged about quite a bit. It’s a story about three brothers — played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman – on what’s intended to be a journey of spiritual and self-discovery through India, during which the siblings at least kind of hope to reconnect with one another; they haven’t seen each other in the year since their father’s death.

The film features a lot of the same themes as Anderson’s other movies: familial distrust, parent issues, quirky behavior. And it has many of the highly unique visual settings and very particular shots you’d expect from an Anderson film. But another of the common threads that run throughout an Anderson film has been his severely deadpan style of humor; that is, until now.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some funny moments, though few (if any) laugh-out-louders. Instead, this seems to be Anderson’s first full attempt at making a movie that is not first and foremost a comedy, but rather a true look at humans for what they are. (Here’s another review toward that end, though it’s probably even more gushy than mine. To attempt some sort of “balance”, here’s a review that’s not as kind.)

Anderson has verbalized his admiration for the French New Wave filmmakers, to whom he’s been compared stylistically. A lot of those French New Wave films, to me, seem to be not so much about events, like most movies today, but rather about being. It’s a differentiation Anderson has come close to making in his previous films, but he gets closer to the mark here. Unlike most of his past films, like Rushmore or The Royal Tenenbaums, redemption for the characters in Darjeeling isn’t fully realized. They don’t totally reconnect with all the people in their lives. The mom and dad issues aren’t resolved — in fact, they’re left conspicuously hanging. And the story doesn’t come to a full conclusion. But if you’re going for that French New Wave feel, it ends how it’s probably supposed to. (I said to Marsha after we left the theater, “It was pretty existential, wasn’t it?”, not so much as a question, but just to see if she agreed. She did.) 

So, all that being said, here’s the summary: the first half is kind of funny; the second half is a thinker; I really liked it; and I look forward to seeing it again soon.

[Addendum: I'd read that some of the events in the film retain even more poignancy considering Owen Wilson's recent troubles. After seeing the movie for myself, I can say that's definitely true. Incredibly enough, this recent MySpace interview of Wilson by Anderson, his longtime friend, is just as moving, though I don't know for sure that it's meant to be.]

Wes Anderson profile in New York Magazine

Last week’s issue of New York Magazine features a good profile of filmmaker Wes Anderson, who’s new film, The Darjeeling Limited, was released this weekend in a few U.S. theatres and will be opening soon in the rest of the country.

A lot of people think Anderson’s movies are too kitschy and quirky, and they don’t like him. Well, I do. In fact, I think his films are the best out there today, at least in part because of the incredible worlds he conjures up. If you’ve seen any of them, you know what I’m talking about: a mix of mythical New York or European aesthetics, which Anderson pairs with the dry, melancholy wit of his writing. The soundtracks for him films are just as kitschy, mixing everything from British new wave, to punk, to baroque classical, to flamenco guitar, Indian sitar, and on and on. For a lot of people, it’s all too much (or too little). For me, it’s a wonderful blend of styles, along with enough substance to keep me interested.

[The issue of the magazine also features a good profile of the filmmaker brothers Ethan and Joel Coen, who made The Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona, and Fargo, among others, and are favorites of mine as well. Their new film, No Country for Old Men, I am also eager to see.]

Behind-the-scenes video from upcoming Wes Anderson film

If you’re a fan of Wes Anderson’s films, as I most certainly am, you can’t help but be excited that his new picture, The Darjeeling Limited, is due out at the end of the month. It stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman, among others, in a story about three brothers attempting to reconnect on a spiritual odyssey in India.

The film’s website features some good behind-the-scenes videos. I’ve included one below: