5

5.1 - REVIEW AND CRITIQUE A SHORT FILM PRODUCTION

Doodlebug [1997]
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Jeremy Theobald
A man runs around his room trying to catch a bug with his shoes. However, as he slowly begins to track down the bug, things take a dramatic turn. Just before Nolan established himself as one of Hollywood's most prized possessions, he made this short while studying English at University in London. 

The plot plays itself out nicely, taking a dramatic twist at the end which is pretty obvious once you see it being set up, however this doesn't serve as too much of a problem as there are only a few seconds between the set up and delivery. In other words, you're not wasting time being led somewhere you have already arrived. It is very much a student film as the premise thinks it is smarter than it actually is; this is just an observation, not so much an attack. The plot places us in a dingy apartment, a guy that looks possibly insane, carries around a shoe whilst a little black figure runs around the room, but who is this man and the little black figure running around? Could Nolan be smartly suggesting that 'the man' hitting the smaller version of himself, be an abstract representation of 'him hurting others, means he's only hurting himself,' or am I just reading too much into this? In terms of the atmosphere - the grainy black and white, dark rooms with bright intrusive light, the 'thing' running around our main character - it does just enough to feel like it is building towards something, for a sure divisive ending for audiences. Love it or hate it, its fun to see, mainly because of what it's director has gone on to do since, and for that reason, this serves as an enjoyable little short.

5.2 - REVIEW AND DISCUSS OWN CHOICE OF: BRITISH FILM PRODUCTIONS AND WORLD FILM PRODUCTIONS.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Director: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton, Mathieu Amalric, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Léa Seydoux, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Tony Revolori.

The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune, all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.

Wes Anderson returns with a gorgeously bizzare tale of The Grand Budapest Hotel; following the adventures of concierge Gustave H (Fiennes) and lobby boy Zero (Revolori).

Grand is definitely the way to describe Anderson's bizarre thrill ride, with themes of black comedy, many twists, hyperbolic characters and Anderson-esque features, it is engrossing to view.

While the story being inventive and enjoyable, the real achievement here is the creation of Gustave, with the role being brilliantly written. As Gustave, Fiennes is camp, witty, fast and loose with obscenities, but above all, it's performance played with the most endearing genuineness. With that being said, all the supporting actors deliver their eccentric characters beautifully in the running screen time they have. 

Like Anderson's other features, I find it impossible to discuss The Grand Budapest Hotel without mentioning his meticulously designed sets. Anderson treats the hotel as he does his well crafted characters, with much love. From little details like typically quirky patisserie cakes, funicular lifts and period costumes, to the stark contrast of the hotel in its 1930s glory days to the ghastly décor of the 1970s; The hotel is a character as important as any others.

Wes Anderson's 8th feature is an aesthetically pleasing, cinematic joy. It may lack in themes of melancholia used in some of Anderson's best films, but it makes up for in wit and storytelling.

The Grand Budapest Hotel, check in and you won't want to leave.    ★★★★★