Smiling as the charm oozes out everywhere.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) is a whimsically told, even charming story of the concierge Gustav, his favorite bellhop, Zero, and their often bold attempts to preserve the eponymous hotel in the midst of a very uncharming time.
World War II.
Just as Gustav’s goal is to give every guest a special environment in which they can forget the tiresome realities of the mid-twentieth century, Gustav and Zero try to cushion their hotel, themselves, and each other, even as the dirty realities of German fascism invade the hotel.
And when it all comes crashing down, it’s a real downer.
Both memorable and fun, if a mixture of idyll and reality appeals, this may be for you.
