Mark Kermode reviews Grand Budapest Hotel

Mark Kermode reviews Grand Budpest Hotel. A legendary concierge and his lobby boy go on the run after being framed for murder. Ensemble comedy from director Wes Anderson.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark's review of the film below. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
www.bbc.co.uk/5...
Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live.

[@jamesblames2]

this film was a work of art.

[@antonioaguiar5071]

Was and is!

[@renemies78]

I always laugh when Mark asks Simon "Have you read..." or "Have you seen..." because 9 out of 10 times the answer is "...no." Lol.

[@windh]

I was thinking the EXACT same thing... Been watching a few clips now and this just topped it. Has he ever seen ANYTHING? He hadn't even seen The Shining for heaven's sake.

[@renemies78]

windh lol

[@r4h4al]

And he always tries to compare David Lynch, and Simon's like "nope, not seen any of his film." No Marks like "Okay moving on..."

[@andrewcairns8266]

Exactly. it's also funny how Mark knows so much more about pop music and how clueless Simon is about most pop culture references.

[@jonathanb1406]

To be fair, it doesn’t help that half the time Mark is saying “you know that film Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death?”

[@vars280287]

Fiennes deserved an Oscar nom for this flm.

[@crappymcdick]

Totally

[@drsmith6595]

Absolutely

[@Abbadonhades]

I agree completely. I never knew he had it in him... well if I omit "In Bruges" from my memory banks, that is.

[@thedarkknight9032]

@@Abbadonhades wtf is wrong with you? Have you completely forgotten Schindler's List?

[@Abbadonhades]

@@thedarkknight9032 To clarify: I meant comedic performances. There's nothing funny about the character he plays In Schindler's list.

[@drushe1983]

i love how mark speaks, his use of language, his descriptions, his cadence; always enjoyable & engaging, never dull.

[@christinedelaney743]

Great speaker fine descriptions. Of. Films

[@DrCruel]

He reminds me of Howard Cosell.

[@1rr1table]

Cadence? He talks too much, too fast. Likes to show off his knowledge, too.

[@burlhorse61]

@@1rr1table he's not showing off-watchig movies is his job.hence the knowledge

[@Eliguitar1]

i think anderson's primary strength is that even if the viewer is not particularly sympathetic to the characters or engaged with the often lackadaisical plot they can easily enjoy any of his films by observing his (and his collaborators') complete mastery of production design, cinematography, color palette, not to mention use of music. this is more than you can say for most films imo. needless to say he also seems to attract the very best acting talent currently going...and that never hurts.

[@Eliguitar1]

Simon Walpole many films try to convince the audience of great depth beneath a gritty "raw" surface (whether or not they actually posses it)...whereas i find that even when i don't initially see much "depth" in an anderson film it is never less than great to simply look at. every shot and scene is flawlessly constructed and edited. i also find anderson's underlying melancholy tone quite sincere and human even considering it's purposeful artificiality. in an era of quick cutting shaky cam visual rubbish i find all of his films worth watching, often more than once.

[@_alex_cabre]

“a gags outtake reel in a Wes Anderson film would consist of somebody raising their eyebrow slightly too much”

[@kristinekuznecova1138]

I adore this film. My favourite in last couple of years.

[@meowpacino21692]

One of the best of this decade, top 10 for sure...unless his The French Dispatch comes out at the end of this year and is overwhelmingly amazing, Wes has set the bar high for himself at this point

[@rickewilde]

Wes Anderson films are fun and immaculately filmed.the attention to detail is impeccable. good storytelling and weird to be honest but I love em.

[@duncanwcraig9668]

To me, Grand Budapest is an art piece that i laughed with all the way through. Wes is a genius.

[@KnowsFilms]

HAHA what a story Mark

[@fluff975]

mayer8356 My Lisa's great when I can get it.

[@fluff975]

mayer8356 ...It seems to me like you're an EXPERT Mark!!

[@lozer85]

Oh hai claudette

[@juliebebbington6595]

Just watched this film! Wow it's excellant. Beautifully shot , clever , touching and funny. Loved it.

[@TheDisKit]

..."in this extraordinary building that looks like a great big cake." Couldn't have said it better.

[@markprior2278]

Huge fan of Wes Andersons films and this is one of his best. Ralph Fiennes was brilliant.

[@TheSMLIFfilms]

Every time I watch this movie I crave macaroons.

[@natturn-her5050]

I literally love this movie, it was everything that I needed at the time and it charming beyond recognition.

[@VanDeVenDerVaart]

One of my favourite films of all time. Not a wasted second. Every stroke is perfect.

[@Malky5279]

Love this film. Normally lukewarm to Anderson's work but this one is hilarious and has more heart than most.

[@sonicjrjr14]

Best Anderson movie since Rushmore!

[@65g4]

I havent seen Rushmore what is it like

[@gilliebrand]

Totally love this film, it is fantastically funny and warm. In my top 10 without a doubt.

[@etontrifle]

He's always going to be wrong about The Fantastic Mr Fox. phew phew, click click.

[@nicg1883]

For me that is Kermode's best review.

[@rigilchrist]

I adored this film and I love Kermode's reviews.

[@aaroncollins-wood8743]

This film is just a joy to watch. :) my favourite since Rushmore

[@GiantSandles]

I watched Rushmore and Moonrise Kingdom and although they were good they didn't click with me in the way they seemed to with other people, Grand Budapest Hotel is the only one so far that I particularly liked

[@mantistoboggan5171]

those 2 are his weakest, in my opinion.

[@edwardwilliammorris1340]

If you can't fall in love with this film there must be something wrong with you. It's a fantastic piece of art , both shot and acted out to perfection. My collection of films will soon mean I've nowhere to sit 🤣 and this film gets replayed again and again. It's just sublime

[@chrishiggins7166]

Director Wes Anderson delivers charm, whit, humour, style & A cast that delivers one of their best roles in this masterpiece. (95%) (5/5 stars) (positive)

[@GenesisKnights]

it's so relentlessly AWESOME

[@wackywankavator]

This film was peak Anderson. A movie comprised of shadow boxed dioramas. Just beautiful and fun and tragic.

[@markcbb]

I loved this movie , it was perfect

[@pastadrmartinssempa6295]

Yes. It's a mastery and my child's loves it although. We watch it at Christmas time every year.

[@StonyRC]

It's a film I want to watch over and over and over ... but I'm terrified that I might tire of it. Perhaps ... just once or twice more ... this week!

[@bighuge1060]

Fantastic score, too. This is one of my favorite recent movies. Excellent review.

[@V.elociraptor]

A super fun movie. Just constantly laughing.

[@bestLetsplayer]

What a beautifully elaborate description of an amazingly intricate movie :D

[@Jalmerk]

You forgot that it starts with a girl sitting down reading the book, and then it cuts to the author. The film goes into it self like 4 times in the first 5 minutes :D

[@madahad9]

I have a real love/hate feeling for Wes Anderson. His films are visually stunning. Not many directors nowadays take the trouble to compose shots in the way the Stanley Kubrick did and one can easily see the influence. But his characters are some times too quirky for their own good and they become annoying and ultimately frivilous. But my main complaint is that his films are often very hollow at their center and has go greater substance. It is a cinematic bon bon. I am looking forward to The Grand Hotel Budapest. Good, bad, or indifferent a Wes Anderson film will be more enjoyable than the rest of the uninspired Hollywood drek that is churned out. He should find a book to adapt. He is obviously a person with a visual talent that harkens back to directors of the classic period of cinema.

[@madahad9]

As superficial as I find his films (even the ones I like) I do like his visual eye. Whereas most modern movies are dark, poorly photographed, and very little effort is taken in the visuals, Wes Anderson's film are very beautiful to look at even if they don't add up to much in the end, which is most of the time. It is like a trip nowhere but you've seen a few pretty sights but the destination was disappointing. His characters are too quirky for their own good and seldom come off as plausible or even interesting. Even if a character in a film is unlikable (A Clockwork Orange, Taxi Driver , All That Jazz, etc.) at least they are interesting and hold the viewer's attention. I disagree with your view on Rushmore and Tennenbaums. I understand how it is easy to dislike these movies. It is a either a "love-it or hate-it" situation. Yes, there are a few characters I couldn't stand in both and neither was a perfect film. It took a few viewings to appreciate Tennenbaums. I even liked The Darjeeling Limited for it's core story of the enstranged brothers coming together for this little adventure, but the ending (as all Wes Anderson films) is pretty weak. I still have yet to see either The Fantastic Mr. Fox or The Grand Hotel Budapest. My interest in modern movies is pretty much gone now. I do think he can be a great director but he needs to find a book to adapt that has a solid story. In the past one could see a director evolving but nowadays they seem to make variations of the same thing over and over. They find their quirky niche audience and pander to them and never try something new. I like those directors who made all sorts of different movies and in different genres.

[@phelimheming8593]

Danny Boyle and Quentin Tarantino deliver superior cinematography to Wes Anderson, and much better films in every respect.

[@laserspewpew_7175]

Just saw this last night thought it was a fantastic film

[@samuelbarber6177]

This might be the most aesthetically pleasing film I’ve ever watched. It all looks like ice cream.

[@NxDoyle]

A masterpiece

[@AJBa83]

Ironic really you wait till awards season is over and the best film of the year so far turns up.

[@pricklyphlox]

You are trapped in an elevator with only an iPad full of Wes Anderson movies and a copy of Dianetics. Which cult do you join, Hot Shot?

[@ThePaulaon1]

Loved the film. And another excellent review.

[@boedtker]

i like this guy

[@jpb87]

Now I feel as though I can give it another chance, with an open mind, but I would like to hear your opinion, with lots of spoilers.

[@timothyw98]

I just watched the trailer for his new film Isle of Dogs, strange I give you that

[@mantistoboggan5171]

so wrong about fantastic mister fox. don't know how you can hold that opinion. this is my favourite wes anderson film, tied with royal tennembaums.

[@thezombiemuffins]

I think that the cinematic quality and production value of Anderson's recent works have improved tremendously. I still wonder at how "Bottle Rocket" is considered Criterion-worthy.

[@Eliguitar1]

criterion definitely likes first films to illustrate an auteurs trajectory...bottle rocket is obviously far from his most fully realized film. experience and larger budgets have definitely been kind to him, allowing him to produce more polished and intricate films.

[@bennoclassico]

It's a more relaxed style but it definitely acts as a primer for his later structure. Bottle Rocket is Anderson's freest film, and is one to return to every now and then (much like Rushmore or The Life Aquatic...or any of his films really). It's definitely 'Criterion-worthy' because Criterion love Anderson as an auteur. I'm not one to bow down to Criterion's methods though - if they were so great they would make their releases region-free. I for one would like to see Eureka release an Anderson film one day.

[@65g4]

Really enjoyed this film very quirky also loved Moonrise Kingdom

[@Nophotofound]

To me.. mark complicates why Wes Andersons films are getting better and better.. Kingdom, Budapest and dogs are Wes Andersons best movies bc they have, underneath the packaging, real stakes, real pain, empathy and most importantly characters you care about. I like his early work too but they all more cool and cold. And most of all a bunch of interesting awkward and funny characters that are not particularly relatable or likable. Entertaining and uniqe as hell but the later stuff has that + heart.

[@victoriaryan1509]

I love this film so much.

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

There is usually a lot of heart in Wes Anderson films, kind of like in Anchorman and those kind of films. Just less improvising I guess...

[@DeltaStar777]

Wow what a great review of a great movie, thanks for sharing!!

[@ZamZammah96]

I think that was a positive review.

[@Brothertom1]

my favorite movie =]

[@WAAAAAAAAAAAY]

I thought this film was great. I've never been a big fan Wes Anderson. I've tried to get into him but I find a lot of his movies incredibly annoying because of the overly mannered performances he gets actors to give. I love Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic.....but that's it This is a really funny and fun movie - it's a movie where in every sense the style is the substance and the two things combine wonderfully. Feinnes is absolutely fantastic too It's simultaneously the most accessible Wes Anderson film & the most "Wes Anderson-y" Wes Anderson film lol Quick question though: how is it that the little Indian boy grows up to be F. Murray Abraham? They're not even the same race ha :)

[@WAAAAAAAAAAAY]

Karl Karlos Thanks.....I was only joking though [thought that was conveyed by the "ha" but I guess not]. I agree, of course it doesn't matter; it's just something strange that occurred to me after having seen it. :)

[@WAAAAAAAAAAAY]

Karl Karlos No problem, yeah I get what you mean. I think maybe it might bother somebody who wasn't totally into the film, I don't know......I really enjoyed it so I didn't notice it.....it just occurred to me months later and made me kind of chuckle ha :)

[@tfpp1]

OMG!!! *rolls eyes* Yeah...but did he like it???

[@jpb87]

Also what did you make of Only God Forgives? I hated it, it made me laugh out loud, for all the wrong reasons, but I'm a big fan of all involved.

[@sting6ph]

my fave Wes Anderson 😁

[@monomakes]

I thought Swiss Court had been demolished.

[@johnpaton8047]

This film makes this reviewer talk faster..

[@johnarber3358]

Fiennes was not even nominated for best actor. What an utter disgrace

[@HEllis-qu5nn]

BITE YOUR TONGUE ABOUT THE FANTASTIC MR FOX! That movie was brilliant!!!!! OMG!!

[@lewiscranston881]

Good tempo, slightly hipsterish at times but very well directed.

[@jpb87]

If your reviews are designed for people who have seen the films already, like they increasingly are, let us know in advance please. Thanks mate x

[@Mbencey1990]

Budpest?

[@cstar1233]

Capital of Hungry

[@560Plays]

Charlie Stewart Thats Budapest

[@TheRevWillNotBeTelevised]

Charlie Stewart The capital of Hungary is Budapest as is the title of this film, not Budpest. Typo I guess.

[@number94]

shum mishtake shurley

[@jrkinnard1]

Fiennes is magnificent, obviously, but this movie just didn't work for me. So much talking and telling and relating, but never any showing or doing. Anderson has mistaken quirk for character development, and that kept me from caring about any of these characters. I just watched... smiling occasionally... laughing infrequently... and then got up and left the theater. His visual style is certainly distinctive, but Wes Anderson is not one of my favorite filmmakers.

[@phelimheming8593]

Well said. Do you get the idea that you are not allowed to dislike Wes Anderson? BORRRRRRRRRRRRRRING

[@timadamson3378]

But... is it mechanical? Not sure what you think about that.

[@thepixel5]

just realised you guys are winding this up. Thats a shame. all the best.

[@murdoness]

Does Mark fart at 0.18 ?

[@MrDannyWright]

God he's so wrong about Fantastic Mr Fox.

[@fubar22v50]

ThisAlbino disagree

[@foresttdog]

file is completely stuck, won't play past :04

[@wokeil]

Wait that was Voldemort

[@123987username]

simon never listens, he could be talking to a chinaman

[@lovewalruss]

For once I agree with Commode. The film is a joy.

[@jpb87]

I had to stop your review in under a minute because of spoilers. We don't need to know which actor plays which role in relation to which character. Generally this is good information, but you must know giving away so much would be spoiling it for the viewer. Once again, I am a fan, but think

[@colindorrans9495]

You do waffle on a bit Mark !

[@ath7616]

In an age of dross Netflix movies, this great movie would probably never be made.

[@leesullivan4112]

Putting down Fantastic Mr Fox what a load of rubbish Mark speaks a load of bollocks Fantastic Mr Fox is brilliant.

[@benjaminrooker5793]

Lee Sullivan his point being that it’s not really a film aimed at children despite the source. I don’t agree, but it’s an observation with weight for sure.

[@leesullivan4112]

@@benjaminrooker5793 maybe he just never likes anything.

[@LJY08]

I so wanted to love GBH, but....

[@LJY08]

DaBigOrkWarboss Slayer It just bored the pants off me. And yes I did get it.

[@locuus7]

Kermode is wound tighter sometimes than his referenced grandfather clocks. Tsk tsk his dissing of Fantastic Mr Fox

[@herbie747]

I found it boring.

[@jacobsamuel945]

I thought Kermode put it best when he reviewed Darjeeling Ltd and said "it was funny; it wasn't funny enough". I think the exact same is true in this. It is a nonsense to say it's razor sharp. The editing is razor sharp but the humour isn't. As with many Wes Anderson films, the novelty of zanyness wears off inside 10 minutes. I am a fan though. Got all these on DVD. It just isn't funny enough.

[@r4h4al]

Lots of metaphors thrown in there Mark. Didn't like it myself, didn't appeal to me.

[@phelimheming8593]

I gotta say, I think Wes is really overrated

[@phelimheming8593]

Thanks that people who like the Royal Tenebaums are not the measuring sto...etc zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@phelimheming8593]

Mentioning the Royal Tenebaums makes everybody snore.

[@phelimheming8593]

Having such an inflated opinion of yourself will make you chase the last word: So, have it, be my guest.

[@Liusila]

Never found his movies funny or interesting. It always reeks of Instagram’s oversaturated and carefully orchestrated fakery, and delivers nothing to me emotionally.

[@darrencopson9334]

Dont you just love it when these wanna be writers and reviewers spit out big words and technical terms trying to sound so insightful and whitty but just sound like every other news paper film critic just the amateur version. GBH is a good film but its not as good as moonrise kingdom ITS THAT SIMPLE !

[@phelimheming8593]

His comedy is razor sharp, and razor thin. This guy is seriously overrated, and I have just delivered a better joke than he ever can.

[@mantistoboggan5171]

you've commented a few times here, we get it, you don't get wes anderson films. that is not a joke either.

[@manofocean]

Mantis Toboggan And not getting it is okay too, just don’t like you’re better than anyone else because of it. But he is certainly for only certain people. I personally love him, this guy can hate him, but that doesn’t make him better than everyone else.

[@Nikolay76Gogol]

This Kitsch can not be recommended to connoisseurs of TRUE cinema. It is not interesting to watch the travel of the main characters, which are one dimesional templates. They could be killed (like Gustav) - the audience would not feel a single gram of compassion for these characters. The cast is very extensive and, but some notable actors in the film appear as cameo to say just one sentence. Strange and empty movei, that doesn't give any ideas about this life. We can compare it with the most terrible examples of a pompous and ornate rococo, completely devoid of a sense of proportion and taste. Those who claim that Grand Budapest Hotel is "a thoughtful movie" or "auteur cinema" have never seen films of Scorsese, Bergman, Tarkovsky, Fellini or Kurosawa.

[@comanchio1976]

Hahaha

[@Arkain89]

this is probably how m night shyamalan fans view themselves

[@Maffelus]

Who did what?

[@BettyBoolean]

I've not seen this but from this description it would seem the films borrows heavily from Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbies Lost Girls graphic novel

[@ianlacey6588]

Now if you could persuade Moore to co-operate with Anderson...