Spring Break
Darjeeling Limited attempts quiet spirituality
Issue date: 10/11/07
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The Darjeeling Limited, directed by Wes Anderson and written by Anderson along with Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman, begins with Hotel Chevalier, a short film and prequel to the feature.
Natalie Portman and Jason Schwartzman star in this less-than-mediocre short which is tangentially related to The Darjeeling Limited.
Set in a hotel room in Paris, the short centers around Portman and Schwartzman, former lovers meeting for an unfulfilling tryst.
Though steeped in pretty shots and clever camerawork, Chevalier suffers most from misguided acting from both stars.
Though beautiful and charming, Portman lacks the emotional weight carried by Anderson's other characters.
Despite the bruises on her body, ostensibly from a new lover, Portman appears unaware of her character's history. She is instead content to pose and smile her way through the film while inexplicably gnawing on a toothpick, a quirk that seemed more an arbitrary crutch than an active choice.
The lovers share zero chemistry and exchange some of the most awkward and uncomfortable kissing and foreplay captured on film. Luckily, the short bore no implications for the feature.
The Darjeeling Limited, set in modern-day India, begins with a slow-motion shot of Bill Murray, star of all of Anderson's films (save Bottle Rocket), running after a train. He misses it and is simultaneously outrun by Peter Whitman, played by Adrien Brody, a newcomer to the guild of Wes Anderson actors.
Fans may speculate that this opening sequence signals Brody's character outrunning age, his character's dead father or perhaps is a friendly wink-nod gesture proclaiming "Bill's sitting this one out, but Adrien's got it covered."
In any case Peter meets his two brothers already onboard, Frances Whitman (Owen Wilson) and Jack Whitman (Jason Schwartzman). The three have not spoken in a year and have been summoned to India by Frances to share a "spiritual journey."
Also onboard are Frances' "personal assistant," Brendan, played by Wallace Wolodarsky and Rita, a beautiful stewardess, played by the lovely Amara Karan.
Natalie Portman and Jason Schwartzman star in this less-than-mediocre short which is tangentially related to The Darjeeling Limited.
Set in a hotel room in Paris, the short centers around Portman and Schwartzman, former lovers meeting for an unfulfilling tryst.
Though steeped in pretty shots and clever camerawork, Chevalier suffers most from misguided acting from both stars.
Though beautiful and charming, Portman lacks the emotional weight carried by Anderson's other characters.
Despite the bruises on her body, ostensibly from a new lover, Portman appears unaware of her character's history. She is instead content to pose and smile her way through the film while inexplicably gnawing on a toothpick, a quirk that seemed more an arbitrary crutch than an active choice.
The lovers share zero chemistry and exchange some of the most awkward and uncomfortable kissing and foreplay captured on film. Luckily, the short bore no implications for the feature.
The Darjeeling Limited, set in modern-day India, begins with a slow-motion shot of Bill Murray, star of all of Anderson's films (save Bottle Rocket), running after a train. He misses it and is simultaneously outrun by Peter Whitman, played by Adrien Brody, a newcomer to the guild of Wes Anderson actors.
Fans may speculate that this opening sequence signals Brody's character outrunning age, his character's dead father or perhaps is a friendly wink-nod gesture proclaiming "Bill's sitting this one out, but Adrien's got it covered."
In any case Peter meets his two brothers already onboard, Frances Whitman (Owen Wilson) and Jack Whitman (Jason Schwartzman). The three have not spoken in a year and have been summoned to India by Frances to share a "spiritual journey."
Also onboard are Frances' "personal assistant," Brendan, played by Wallace Wolodarsky and Rita, a beautiful stewardess, played by the lovely Amara Karan.
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