Darjeeling Limited

PASSING THOUGHTS
Some people “get” art, some people don’t. If you show me a picture of a small lamp sitting on top of a coaster on a wicker table, and the bulb is glowing even though the cord and plug are also on the table, I probably won’t “get” it. Perhaps some people will be able to pick up on the whimsical yet profound contrasts of life illustrated by such a piece, but to me it’s a bit of nonsense that gives me a greater appreciation for sanity. That said, The Darjeeling Limited is probably best viewed as a piece of art. It certainly has its appeal, but that appeal is…well…limited.

From a production standpoint, the film is terrific. A large chunk of the movie is shot on a moving train that was essentially built from scratch. There is a vast amount of artwork found in and on the train, and the locations selected for the rest of the scenes are ones not often explored in feature films. So much time and work was invested into each shot that it makes it hard to believe the whole project was made for less than $18 million.

From a writing standpoint however, it’s hard to believe a script like this could get $18 million in backing. The humor is considered dry, but the characters themselves are so dry that they squelch any of the film’s potential. The lines are understated with such consistency that it becomes a jarring shock to see any real emotion. Quirky and off-beat dialogue is effective until it becomes discernable; predicting how a character will react or how a question will be answered simply becomes a matter of taking a rational response and turning it on its head. The timing tips you off that there’s a punch line approaching, but it comes and goes without making an impact.

When a character (or characters) is trying to attain something intangible like forgiveness, emotional healing or purpose, it’s important to understand where they’re coming from and why they’re driven the way they are; otherwise you really don’t understand why the story ends the way it does, or why it even starts in the first place. There are many questions left unanswered while essentially meaningless elements are given an awkward emphasis. We don’t know why Peter figures he’ll get divorced, but he buys a poisonous snake. We don’t know why Patricia runs from her children, but there is a tiger on the loose at her convent that mauled someone. We aren’t exactly sure what the Whitman brothers accomplish or discover, but they do stack several rocks on top of a peacock feather.

The film definitely presents a unique perspective on death, relationships, struggles and travels, but it does so at the cost of what we can relate to in our own lives. Certainly there are many people who will be able to appreciate the abstract strokes Anderson makes on his fantastic canvas, but others, like me, will only be able to relate to Bill Murray’s businessman who misses the train at the outset of the film.

BASICS

Your Cup O’ Tea:
If you like Wes Anderson’s work (Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The
Royal Tenenbaums), or you enjoy seeing something so far removed from the
norm that it’s almost unrecognizable.

Steer Clear:
If you don’t like Wes Anderson’s work (see list above) or any abstract, independent-type film. (Or if you abhor the random application of slow-motion.)

Nothing New Under the Sun:
It plays very much like a violent twist on your garden-variety road-trip movie.

Buy or Rent:
BUY if you’re a Wes Anderson fan. It’s certainly a good dish if you like Wes’ cooking, and the story has so many memorable events that it could easily be viewed many times without putting wear on it. If you’re not a big fan of the genre (Wes practically needs his own) it’s not even worth renting—nothing new to see here, folks.

FEATURES

-Theatrical Trailer

-Theatrical Trailers (for other movies)

-Scene Selection

-Subtitles

-The Darjeeling Limited: Walking Tour Featurette
Approx 21 minutes. The focus is mostly on the train itself and some of the locations used. No actor/director/writer interviews, no discussion about the story or themes. There are some behind-the-scenes shots of the cast and crew on set, but the footage seems more arbitrary than you’d expect. It’s all very interesting and amusing to watch, but it doesn’t cover the normal bases of a featurette. DUH! FACTOR: 2 out of 10

-Play Hotel Chevalier (Part 1 of The Darjeeling Limited)
A sort of prologue that can be watched by itself, with the rest of the movie, or not at all. It is a full scene between Jack and Jack’s Ex-girlfriend that takes place before the official beginning of the movie. While it helps give the end of the movie additional imagery, it is more of a deleted scene than anything else.

Woulda Been Nice: To have some kind of insight from Wes about his story in the featurette. While having someone explain their vision isn’t as powerful as experiencing it firsthand, it can still help an audience appreciate the intent.