I wasn’t supposed to watch this movie. I guess I was at some point, but I wasn’t planning on it. I went because my friend Sally (made up name, because lawsuits) suggested we should do so and I decided to abide by her decision. In theory, I had something to do with that decision. In my head, I was going to watch this movie in the comfort of a walking distance adventure from my place at Williamsburg Cinemas, but little did I know the movie was not playing there. Such is life.
She told me The Grand Budapest Hotel was playing in Union Square, which is geographically ideal for that kind of endeavor. Somewhat central. Eateries around. Creative homelessness. A panhandler in the train said, “I don’t want money, I want soap!”
Or maybe this happened some other day? Not relevant.
We went to Hotel Tortuga, because she said that they had delicious vegetarian tacos. The place looks like a secret passage inside any other Mexican food truck around New York. Which is not a bad thing. Food came quickly. We ordered beers. I didn’t finish mine. She paid for dinner with the condition that I’d pay for the tickets. I said OK and we left.
At the cinema, I swiped my card to buy the tickets. However, my card has a convenient crack at the magnetic bar. It didn’t work. She paid for everything. Such is life. The theater was empty when we got there, but soon enough a group of thug looking guys walked in. Proving that Wes Anderson reaches all kinds of audiences. Proving that I’m really judgmental of thug looking guys. No, they were not black.
The movie started with a very Andersonian shot. I guess it’s OK for us to use that now since all his movies seem to look exactly the same, except no, not really. I have to admit that I was acquiescent about going through another Wes Anderson movie since I really didn’t like Moonrise Kingdom. And that’s OK. Won’t you hug one of your contrarian friends today? Agree when you disagree is also charity.
Oh, the movie? It was lovely. Not as good as Bottle Rocket (my personal favorite) or with the same vigor of Rushmore, but polarizing and inventive like Life Aquatic. You should go see it. It’s fun.
This time the dialog is not as contrived
