The Darjeeling Limited

Gorgeous movie, lived up to my high expectations and more. Comments for those who have and have not seen it.

Have nots
Don't expect any radical gear shifts in Wes's delivery. His knack for style and visuals are there in full force. Where it differs from his other films is in theme. Bottle Rocket focuses on dreams, Life Aquatic focuses on eternal youth, Darjeeling has its own unique set of themes. The worst thing you can do going into this movie is expect how the plot will play out. I value movies that have a sense of "realness", a low "that would never happen in real life" quality. Good movies should feel like the crew is just documenting whats going on, not that the cast are puppets of the writer's demands. Darjeeling nails that.

Haves (SPOILERS!)
Here are some of my favorite lines and themes:

Hilariousness:
Peter laughs at Jack's short story
Jack: Oh what part are you on?
Peter: Oh nothing it just reminded me of something totally unrelated

Jack: I think those kids are laughing at us
Francis: I really love this country, the people are all so beautiful!

Jack: Wouldn't it be great to hear a train rolling by in the distance right now?
Pete: Not really
Francis: Yea that would probably just be annoying...

Francis: Look at these assholes

It was also great each time Francis came up with a new role, so well acted.

Touchingness:
When Peter is reading Jack's story and starts to tear up, speaks volumes about Jack's writing (non-fictional characters) and Peter's attachment to their dad.

The entire flashback sequence as perfect, probably my favorite part of the film. Obviously cool to see Jack without the mustache, and Francis without headgear. Lots of good subtleties, he never read Jack's book, Francis's frustration about their mom, and Peter's irrational insistence on getting the car. Peter really starts to stand out as the most interesting character, obviously with the most baggage over his father. The shot back to the Indian funeral with them in the same positions was brilliant, gear shift for the rest of the movie.

The "I drove my motorcycle off a ditch on purpose" line sums up everything I love about Wes Anderson. The line in itself carries more character development than most movies have in an entire hour and a half. Along with the "I think he might be my friend" line, you learn that Francis is a lonely, miserable soul. You also learn by induction that at the start of the film he felt uncomfortable and untrustworthy around the brothers, and now he feels at ease. Makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time.

The train montage seemed odd at first, and I'm still a bit confused by it. I'm guessing that each brother was sending their thoughts and troubles to their mom, Jack with Natalie Portman, Peter with his wife, Francis with Brenden, and lastly the mom with the man-eating tiger. That wouldn't account for Bill Murray and the snake dude though. I'll have to see it again.

The whole symbolic baggage thing was also great. It took me a while after the movie to figure that out (durrr), but I'll have to watch it again to see if its too "smacking you over the head".