The Darjeeling Limited * * * * *
Director: Wes Anderson.
Screenplay: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman.
Starring: Adrian Brody, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwarztman, Anjelica Huston, Wally Wolodarsky, Waris Ahluwalia, Amara Karan, Barbet Schroeder, Camilla Rutherford, Natalie Portman, Bill Murray.
Director Wes Anderson’s films are always an off-beat delight (“The Royal Tenenbaums”, “Rushmore”, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”) and this is no exception. In fact, it’s his best yet.
Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrian Brody) & Jack (Jason Schwartzman) are three brothers who reunite a year after their father’s death and go on a spiritual journey through India on the infamous train “The Darjeeling Limited”. The rivalry between the siblings is ever present and it also doesn’t help that they are all reliant on prescription drugs, changing their intended spiritual journey to one of chaos and resentment. The trio find themselves facing life changing moments along their path and fulfilling their spiritual awakening in unintentional ways.
On the surface, the brothers are very different characters but the subtlety of Anderson’s writing and directing show them to be very similar, in a lot of ways, as they begin to realise the strong bond between them.
The three leads are excellent and each play their roles with the perfect sensitivity and humour. The cinematography by Robert Yeoman is wonderful, as is Anderson’s great use, yet again, of classic 60’s/70’s songs throughout the film.
Admittedly Wes Anderson may not be to everyones tastes but I find his films an absolute joy and always wonderfully well written and directed. None more so than this beautifully rich treat.
Mark Walker
MARKED MOVIES 
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