Darjeeling Limited
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Darjeeling Limited

Film Review by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com

Reviewed at the NY Film Festival 2007

Starring: Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody, Jason Shwartzman, Angelica Huston, Amara Karan

Writer: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola and Jason Shwartzman

Director: Wes Anderson

 

 

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"I see the Light!"

Film Review by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com

Darjeeling Limited is  a moving (literally and figuratively) piece of artwork. Juxtaposing three brothers as blank slates (who wants to start over again, find
themselves spiritually and be loving brothers again) all in a framework of the Darjeeling Limited train speeding through exotic desserts of Rajashtan in India.

Wes Anderson has successfully authentically painted the warm colors of India and the beauty of  three brothers trying their best to find themselves. Its East meets West the Wes Anderson way. Anderson makes you see life and laugh and cry about it at the same time. He finds reality in  the ridiculous, he finds life in living life. The three brothers played by talented actors Owen Wilson as bossy oldest brother Francis, Adrian Brody as the intense middle brother Peter and the hopeless romantic youngest brother Jack played by Jason Schwartzman.

You would try to imagine how would these three actors look like brothers? When you see the movie I tell you, you will see ( hint hint their noses ). Plus don't forget their mother in the movie is Angela Huston! I laugh about that but at the end I felt that I was really watching three  brothers have misadventures in culturally rich India. Kudos to the actors!

Wes painted the brothers with so much hidden pain that when they try to really soak up the  richness of India for healing, their ailments becomes apparent. The three characters have depended on local medicines and narco cough syrups throughout the movie that it has fogged up their  decision making. Little did they know that the real solution to their problems are just dealing with their ghosts and soaking the Indian experience.

The three became like children again, with India as their playground. Fighting over  what to order, who is borrowing who's belt without permission, somebody buys a pet snake and  loses it and who in the word uses pepper spray to thwart your other brothers' fights, arguments about who is Father's Favorite? These are typical sibling squabbles. Very real in real life. They don't look cute in real life but in this film it actually looks endearing.

Performances are to be cited as genius and oh so real. The three brothers make you  remember how it was when you and your brothers were small. They also make you think of how you should be spending more time with them. Believe it or not I laughed and cried alot while watching this film. The three actors made me think of how I should try to be closer to my siblings. That made me cry. Wes successfully directed the three actors. I say that because at the end I said to myself. I like those characters. I love those characters a lot!

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Rounding off the cast are Angela Huston who played the Mother who ran away from  the family and became a Catholic Nun in the Himalayas. She is an Action Hero Nun who has become a  local hero to the Orphans in the Convent - but not to her kids. Huston is seen here as a strong willed person able to love mankind, other people's children - but not her own. Huston as usual nails the job and more. She truly is a versatile actress.

I was wowed by this new actress named Amara Karan, who played the Train Stewardess Rita. She exudes sexiness, power, wit and intelligence.  She embodies what India is right now. Conservative in culture but oh so modern in philosophy. Karan, will defintely be seen in other Hollywood films, you definitely will.

By the way in the beginning there is a featurette a short film of Jason Schwartzman's character. You will see an eyeful of Natalie Portman as the girlfriend. (Watch this short film called "Hotel Chevaliere" in ITunes)

When I get excited, I get excited... I felt the same way watching last year's
"The Queen." I get excited talking to friends and family about  Darjeeling.

The Darjeeling Limited was beautifully shot epic style, brilliantly performed thespian style, artistically directed Attenbourrough style. You will love India even more after watching this film. I have high hopes for this film to be successful as a box office hit movie and  possibly be successful as an Oscar Nominated Film. Congratulations Wes, Owen, Adrian, Jason, Roman, Angelica and Amara! Darjeeling Limited is a Must See period!

10 out of 10

 

 
Luis Pedron with Amara Karan
(The Darjeeling Limited) at the Press Conference Walter Reade Theater
Lincoln Center, NYC
 
Here are the youtube links to the Wes Anderson / Darjeeeling  Fanclubx.com's Press Conference coverage: