The Darjeeling Limited

Just a quick heads-up for the Wes Anderson fans out there. Three estranged brothers on a spiritual journey via train through India. It’s his usual brand of masterful—and quietly hilarious.

So, I guess Wes hasn't missed yet 🙏 he’s still on quite the winning streak. 😁

Did you ever get around to watching "Hotel Chevalier"? From what I can tell, it probably won't be part of the full "Darjeeling Limited" screenings.

quietdriver3 said:So, I guess Wes hasn't missed yet 🙏 he’s still on quite the winning streak. 😁

Did you ever get around to watching "Hotel Chevalier"? From what I can tell, it probably won't be part of the full "Darjeeling Limited" screenings.

It wasn't included—but there was a website listed before the film where it plays. Thanks for the heads-up.

Wait, what website did they mention right before the movie started? I can only seem to find it on iTunes, but I really don't feel like setting up some annoying new account just to get it.

quietdriver3 said:Wait, what website did they mention right before the movie started? I can only seem to find it on iTunes, but I really don't feel like setting up some annoying new account just to get it.

Look, I didn't catch it—I figured it would be easy to track down. It was probably iTunes, given that this guy spends the entire film playing music off an iPod.

Watching it today! Watching it today! 👋

Yeah, true... This movie is a mixed bag. The final 10 minutes or so are absolutely brilliant, but I suspect a lot of people will lose interest long before they reach that point. Unfortunately, the script is a bit shaky and feels like it loses its way at times (and the direction doesn't exactly help steer it back on track).

That said, I don't think Anderson's fans will be disappointed. For me, The Royal Tenenbaums is still hands down my favorite.

Just bumping this thread—looks like it starts playing this Thursday.

This movie is killer. I've watched it three times now and I still find something new every single time.😁

...what's even the big deal? honestly, I’m just adding it to that "to-watch" list of mine that literally never ends 😵

It's good.
Sort of existentialist, I guess. That "spiritual journey" thing is really just used as a leitmotif...

I have completely fallen in love with this film.

It’s easily his best work yet—honestly, I think it even surpasses The Life Aquatic.

Those cameos by Bill Murray and Kumar are such a fantastic touch.

I am counting down the days until Thursday so I can experience it all over again.

I haven't actually sat down to watch the movie yet, but I have seen Hotel Chevalier. What did you guys think of it? Personally, it didn't really do much for me; I get the feeling it's mostly just for the die-hard Wes Anderson fans. As for Natalie Portman, I honestly think she’s one of the worst actresses Wes has ever worked with, so maybe that's why I wasn't feeling it.

quietdriver3 said:Ugh, I've had this on my list since the first frame was shot. The only issue is it drops the same day as "No Country for Old Men"—now I’m losing sleep over it; which one do I hit first? 😁

Anderson, obviously.

A total loss. The director's menu was fine, honestly! But that ending? Just sad and limp. I didn't see that coming... easily his worst work.

Amy Mendoza25 said:A total loss. The director's menu was fine, honestly! But that ending? Just sad and limp. I didn't see that coming... easily his worst work.

The ending? 😕 The suitcases?

northerncrane4 said:The ending? 😕 The suitcases?

I knew you'd catch that.

Amy Mendoza25 said:I knew you'd catch that.

Personally, I thought it was charming. 😳

Well, that’s just a massive anticlimax if I ever saw one.

Brilliant!

It’s honestly wonderful to see how much Anderson has cemented himself as a director, building such a subtle, steady foundation since his 1996 debut,
Bottle Rocket.
I found it fascinating how much "Darjeeling Limited" actually echoes his first film from '96. It feels like Owen Wilson almost took the DNA of Dignan from "Bottle Rocket" and reshaped it into Francis Whitman. Both movies also inhabit this specific road trip subgenre. The bond between the three friends in "Bottle Rocket" is mirrored by the relationship between the three brothers in "Darjeeling," and in both cases, that brotherhood/friendship dynamic is shaped by the constant cycle of losing and rebuilding trust through petty secrets. Basically, there are tons of parallels between the two, even if "Darjeeling Limited" is a much more stylistically lush and narratively daring film.

I have to admit, the "Hotel Chevalier" prologue felt a little out of sync for me—at least personally—which made me start worrying that "Darjeeling Limited" might carry on with that vignette-style tone. But of course, it doesn't. "Hotel Chevalier" felt like a short film, a small idea stretched out over slow-moving imagery, whereas "Darjeeling Limited" feels like a massive concept that Anderson effortlessly unpacks into a kaleidoscope of colorful moments.

I really loved the overall message of the film and certain moments that fly in direct opposition to the ego-driven dogma Hollywood constantly pushes on us. I won't get into any plot specifics because I'm not entirely sure if spoilers are frowned upon in these review threads, but generally speaking, it's a sincere "feel-good" movie with a beautiful heart.

I was pleasantly surprised by how close "Darjeeling Limited" actually comes to my ideal version of what a movie should be, especially regarding its purpose as a work of art. I could see several key influences weaving through the film: Powell and Pressburger's "Black Narcissus," Renoir's "The River," and Cassavetes' "Husbands." There are probably other homages I missed because I'm certainly not a film scholar, but those three were loud and clear. Anderson definitely picked the right icons to look up to!