540 The Darjeeling Limited

[cubebrick]

...shouldn't you guys be working?

[Cinesimilitude]

It's hard work, holding up the statistic that most employees are only 60% productive.

[Noir of the Night]

It gets worse. I've heard that the bandages worn by Wilson's character in the film are the result of a botched suicide attempt. If that's true, I wouldn't be surprised to see the film get shelved for awhile.

Whoa, spoiler tags. I did not want this spoiled.

[Jeff]

Whoa, spoiler tags. I did not want this spoiled.

Spoiler

Sorry.

[Noir of the Night]

It's cool.

[Jeff]

Richard Corliss has seen it at Venice. He has all of the scoop on Owen Wilson's unfortunate similarities to his character, as well as a decidedly mixed-to-negative review of the film itself.

[kinjitsu]

Variety and Screen Daily are not terribly enthusiastic either.

[VC2020]

Here's the first image from the short film "Hotel Chevalier":



<<<< From the trailer not the short.

[Jeff]

Short provides a potent prologue that further serves to make Jack the most sympathetic of the brothers and adds resonance to visual motifs that recur in the feature. Per Anderson, "Hotel Chevalier" will not be shown in theaters, but rather on the Internet, at festivals and on DVD.

It's a shame that it won't screen before the film commercially -- especially if it adds to the feature.

The Hollywood Reporter's review is even more negative. I'm very disappointed overall, but I did find this passage of the review especially absurd:

But when current affairs are in such a parlous state, it's almost unforgivable to make a film about stupid American men traveling abroad with not the slightest awareness of or reference to anything that's going on in the world. The film is overly pleased with itself and the characters are way too self-absorbed. There's never a man-eating tiger around when you need one.

It's pretty clear that Anderson's films take place in their own universe (has a New York like the one depicted in The Royal Tenenbaums ever existed?). References to anything that's "going on in the world" would be completely out of place here. Anderson's films are self-contained, deliberately constructed fantasies.

The fact that Ray Bennett clearly doesn't "get" Anderson is the only remotely reassuring thing about his review though. It appears the film will be Anderson's most divisive yet.

[VC2020]

Yeah.. They don't know what's going on in what world? Do all films have take place in the real world and do all films have to deal with real issues? I thought movies were something to get away from real world events and all that.

The short not being infront of film prints is a bit of a shame but I hope they at least release the short before the movie as it would most likely work as a good promotional piece.

[kinjitsu]

not the slightest awareness of or reference to anything that's going on in the world

I have the same problem with David Lynch.

[Steven H]

Here, as in his two prior outings, Anderson's arch, highly artificial style gets in the way of character and emotional development, rendering pic piquant rather than profound.

So, is Variety implying Rushmore was profound? Their choice of the word "arch" in describing his style could be read as either "condescending" or "annoyingly playful", both of which sum up just about every negative review I've ever read concerning him, though I'm sure they meant the latter. I just don't see it, but hey, he's divisive. Obviously, what he really needs to do is make a film like Babel or Crash to really connect with today's audience. Then he can be less arch and more arch, the former this time.

All the reviews seem to be pointing at "if you like Anderson, you'll like this. As for the rest of us..."

[Barmy]

Maybe people are just getting tired of Anderson's schtick.

[Steven H]

Maybe people are just getting tired of Anderson's schtick.

Well *I'm* getting tired of the schtick of people who are getting tired of Anderson's schtick, so does that even things out?

[Mr Sausage]

not the slightest awareness of or reference to anything that's going on in the world

I have the same problem with David Lynch.

I'm astonished this is a problem (or were you being coy, Kinji?). At what point did creating a world of one's own cease being a high imaginative and aesthetic achievement and become the equivalent of day-dreaming in class?

Next thing I'll be hearing how art should be an instrument of social reform, at which I'll just have to curl up in bed and cry or something.

[kinjitsu]

Tongue firmly in cheek, Sausage.

[Mr Sausage]

Tongue firmly in cheek, Sausage.

Perhaps I should just bite mine?

[Jeff]

Free preview screenings for "select cities" here.

[Antoine Doinel]

The NY Times profiles the fashion and set decoration of the film.

If anyone wants a PDF version, just send me a PM and I'll send it to you.

Men's Vogue profiles the personal and professional relationship between Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson.

[Hrossa]

Just read through the Vogue article and found it really insightful and enlightening. Thanks for posting the link Antoine.

[Macintosh]

not the slightest awareness of or reference to anything that's going on in the world

At what point did creating a world of one's own cease being a high imaginative and aesthetic achievement and become the equivalent of day-dreaming in class?

Next thing I'll be hearing how art should be an instrument of social reform, at which I'll just have to curl up in bed and cry or something.

I think filmmakers like Tarkovsky, Bresson, Mizoguchi, hell even Harmony Korine create worlds of their own. Wes Anderson just seems like he's replicating the world around him into a highly ironic and nostalgic manner.

[Antoine Doinel]

Starting Wednesday, Hotel Chevalier will be made available as a free download from the Apple iTunes store. More info on the film and internet release here.

[TedW]

Do all films have take place in the real world and do all films have to deal with real issues? I thought movies were something to get away from real world events and all that.

Don't they? Films do not have to take place in "the real world," but all films of value attempt to address the actual issues of human life on this planet, some in an allegorical way, some in a fantastical way, some in a more direct way. Rushmore and his other films do this, although they are set in candy-colored worlds. I bet Darjeeling does, too, in its own way, but it seems the reviewer's criticism was that Anderson didn't say exactly what he thought should be said about "real issues."

It's the kind of criticism that falls into the "Now, If I Directed The Picture..." category.

["membrillo"]

Starting Wednesday, Hotel Chevalier will be made available as a free download from the Apple iTunes store. More info on the film and internet release here.

Somewhat reminiscent of "John From Cincinnati"

Although not interactive. I'm curious to see it.

[Antoine Doinel]

From IMDB:

Anderson Denies Wilson Contributed to Suicide Character

Movie director Wes Anderson has denied reports Owen Wilson's troubled private life contributed to his latest film character - a man with suicidal tendencies. A depressed Wilson allegedly slashed his wrists in an apparent suicide attempt at his home in Santa Monica, California last month. And, in a bizarre coincidence, his latest movie character is involved in a deliberate motorcycle accident in The Darjeeling Limited. But filmmaker Anderson insists Wilson had no hand in writing the role. He says, "It (suicide theme) comes more from me than Owen. He is just playing a role. There's not much else there. People can't avoid making connections, but they are making them after the fact." And Anderson also plays down speculation Wilson was responsible for the scene in 2001 movie The Royal Tenenbaums, which the pair co-wrote, where his brother Luke Wilson's character tries to kill himself by cutting his wrists. He adds, "I wrote that character myself. Owen was not in on that one."

Also, the soundtrack is now streaming over at the official site.