Friday

If you loved the previous movies of Wes Anderson, then no doubt you'll love The Darjeeling Limited. It contains all of his, now trademark, stylised camera movements, music, creative set design and dry sense of humour. What happens, however, if you've never seen or liked his films? I have to say that you probably won't like this one. There is not much direction, or drive, to the narrative, and little real interest in the characters. Instead of smiling when you recognise a deliberately unsteady zoom-in, you'll probably feel disconcerted. Wes Anderson has created a world for himself that he might find it difficult to get out of. Nonetheless, as I said, I still loved this film and would happily watch it again. Something should be said, however, about the short film Hotel Chevalier, which prefaces the main movie. It contains one of the characters, and some minor plot points that will reappear later, though that doesn't make it necessary. I read one review that said they preferred the short to the long film. I can't agree. I was left amused, but generally not intrigued by it. Natalie Portman just isn't a good actress, I don't think. So, I would suggest renting if not buying this movie for Anderson fans, but then they knew that already; anyone else should be cautious.