I’ve been a bit agnostic about Wes Anderson.  I really loved the FANTASTIC MR. FOX, really disliked THE ROYAL TENEBAUMS.  MOONRISE KINGDOM left me a bit cold, but tonight I went and saw THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, and I loved it.  It has all of Anderson’s stylized quirks, but it works so well in this film.  The parade of terrific actors in tiny roles is a delight.  The humor is applied with the lightest touch, and at it’s core it’s a celebration of human decency.  I also found it very touching and rather melancholy.  Despite the humor and the charm there is an underlying sense that life is fleeting, precarious and that it can be snuffed out by greed, violence and callousness.  Ralph Feinnes turns in an absolutely pitch perfect performance.  Tony Revolori is charming as the deadpan and loyal Zero.

There’s also a lovely message that writer’s can reach across time to recall places and people that might otherwise be lost.

I really liked this film.