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Although I was one of The Life Aquatic's defenders, this looks pretty damned uninspired. It looks as if Wes Anderson has started making 'Wes Anderson films' instead of moving forward and innovating - the dreaded self-parody syndrome. And before anyone asks, of course any number of great filmmakers have tended to repeat themselves, but rarely with such cookie-cutter precision as seems to be the case here.

But who knows, we still have to see the film. I'd like to be wrong.

For starters Wessie might try not using schticky actors like Murray, Wilson and Schwartzman. Just for a change of "pace".

I'm torn on this one. I do agree that Wes's once unique voice is becoming repetitive and too deliberately fashionable. On the other hand, Fox could have exaggerated the recognizable, popular elements for the trailer. The movie could easily turn out a major step forward. Looking at the Zodiac trailer, you would think Fincher directed Se7en2 with a little Midnight Run thrown in for laughs, but it's his most restrained, mature movie.

I watched the trailer and thought it pretty awful. Life Aquatic didn't really do it for me either and this seems a continuation of that trip.

I can't really judge a movie I haven't seen and I can't imagine gaining any enthusasm for this one. On the reverse I can't really defend a movie (oh wait I suppose we call them films here) I haven't seen.

Ah, home from work and finally able to watch the trailer and I...

...am still undecided. I know my ass will be in that seat, but I'll be curious to see how many motions Wes is going through and what actually touches home.

I do know that I could really use a break from Owen Wilson. Not that I don't think the guy's great, but I could really use a break from Owen Wilson.

-Toilet Dcuk

If anything, I'm more concerned that the film gives the appearance of marginalizing Indians by delegating so much of their culture to another kooky series of set pieces than whether or not the film appeals to "hipsters"-- especially since of course it does.

domino harvey wrote:If anything, I'm more concerned that the film gives the appearance of marginalizing Indians by delegating so much of their culture to another kooky series of set pieces

The couple of interactions with Indians in the film didn't give me that impression (if anything they make Wilson/Brody/Schwartzmann look pathetic), but it certainly is something I'm concerned about. There's no problem with fish-out-of-water stories but I hope he doesn't paint Indians a bumbling, backward culture. But just as much of the trailer also seemed to be appreciative of the culture, and certainly the nods to Ivory and Ray seem to indicate this is Anderson's intent.

domino harvey wrote:If anything, I'm more concerned that the film gives the appearance of marginalizing Indians by delegating so much of their culture to another kooky series of set pieces than whether or not the film appeals to "hipsters"-- especially since of course it does.

In a way, it does, seeing as the movie is dedicated towards the brothers and not the culture, but when the culture arises it's not just a bunch of "kooky set pieces". I mean, you're not going to see an in-depth Discovery Channel miniseries (even if you do see a lot of Indian culture), but it's not going to played out like "National Lampoon European Vacation".

There are jokes made ("I'm going to go pray at a different thing"), but it's nothing downright offensive, if that's what's bothering you.

Antoine Doinel wrote:I hope he doesn't paint Indians a bumbling, backward culture.

He doesn't.

The next person to use the words "hipster," "douche," or any "intentional" misspellings or "funny" synonyms thereof in this thread will be banned. And I am unanimous in that.

Matt for President.

He has my vote.

People, Wes Anderson's movie trailers are ALWAYS misleading. I almost didn't go see Royal Tenenbaums on the basis of its trailer. I'm glad I changed my mind.

I'm pretty sure the same applies to this new one, too. The studios always try to promote his movies in a way to make them family-oriented or comedy based. The final product has always been very different. Can anyone remember how Match Point was marketed at the time? Right.

I still have my faith in Wes.

I cant wait to see this!

Barmy wrote:I cant wait to see this!

Who knows, Barmy? Depending on which theater you see it at, the audience around you may love it, changing your opinion of Anderson entirely.

Doubtful. Barmy has the miraculous ability to find audiences for nearly every picture he goes to, that boos at the screen.

Jeff wrote:

Barmy wrote:I cant wait to see this!

Who knows, Barmy? Depending on which theater you see it at, the audience around you may love it, changing your opinion of Anderson entirely.

You are killing me. Well played.

Lino wrote:People, Wes Anderson's movie trailers are ALWAYS misleading. I almost didn't go see Royal Tenenbaums on the basis of its trailer. I'm glad I changed my mind.

His films are all about subtle timing, so it makes sense that the trailers would be nearly useless. They're not doing anyone any favors by cutting up the jokes. It seems a better marketing idea would be showing some kind of real time moment, but I suppose they're trying to con people into showing up.

Does Brody seem out of place in this? He looks to be playing the Luke Wilson straight man character from Bottle Rocket and Tenenbaums. I take it as a very promising sign that this was picked for the NYFF as its usually a dependable lineup. Also, I love the Kinks songs, they're two personal favorites (I'll have Strangers in my head for a few days after seeing this).

I cant wait to see this!

I think that if anything, and this is coming from a big fan, Anderson's work could be criticized as “self-indulgentâ€

Word up Lee B. good to see you around.

He's from that school of filmmakers (and yes, almost the entire French New Wave would also fall into this category) who make films they would like to see.

Don't all serious filmmakers make the movies they would want to see? i guess the question is if Anderson wants to see something that goes further than his previous work, or retells essentially the same story for the 4th time in a row.

Up until this point, i've found his contemplation of the relationship between father and child, which runs through "rushmore," "tenenbaums" and "life aquatic" extremely interesting. I feel like those three films are kind of like how ozu always deals with the family, but from different aspects. in that light, i was hoping that "Darjeeling" would be more of an extension of his past themes, to the point where the children are now fatherless and how that affects them.

perhaps that is still the case, and Anderson will continue to develop thematically even if he doesn't stylistically. from this trailer, i'm just not feelin' it.

Greatly looking forward to this, especially since seeing the trailer (which is up on You Tube.) The key song is "This Time Tomorrow" by The Kinks -- which is also featured in the climactic dance scene in Garrel's Les Amants Reguliers.

Wes Anderson doesn't simply write stories and characters -- he creates entire worlds for them to operate in.

In this he's a cross between Preston Sturges and Joseph Cornell.

"Hipness" was stomped to death by Quentin Tarantino and the Fanboys of "Ain't It Cool News."

David Ehrenstein wrote:Joseph Cornell

Now, that's a useful point of reference. Thanks, David.

From Screendaily.com

The Darjeeling Limited will close London Film Festival. Wes Anderson's latest film, which competes in Venice, will close the LFF on Nov 1. Anderson will also give a Screen Talk in London.

You're welcome Zedz.

I also like Anderson personally. When he attended the LAFCA Awards dinner where Rushmore was honored he told the story of how he arranged a special screening of it for Pauline Kael in Great Barrington, and how dismissive she was of it -- paying more attention to the strange friend she brought with her to the screening than the film itself.

All the other critics were horrified by his loucheness. But I couldn't stop laughing.

David Ehrenstein wrote:All the other critics were horrified by his loucheness. But I couldn't stop laughing.

There's more about that old controversy here.

''Did the people who gave you the money read the script?''

I frowned. ''Yeah. That's kind of their policy.''

ROTFL!