The Grand Budapest Hotel Analysis

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Directed by: Wes Anderson

This film is one of those films which give us such an immersive experience into the world of the characters that even the plot becomes irrelevant to an extent that even a different ending wouldn't have mattered that much. This film is definitely an auteur's work, mainly because of the usage of production design, which isn't talked about much but the idea of mise-en-scene comes from the elements of production design, like the sets, props and also other elements like costumes, hair and make up. All the elements of mise-en-scene are uniquely used in the film, of course the production design plays a major role in the film, but apart from the tilts and pans in the camera, the color palette add to the tone of the film. The story is set in such a way, across generations and how every owner of the hotel had an incredible journey themselves starting from the lobby boy. 

The story is that Gustave H is falsely accused of murdering a woman and he goes to jail, and the film is about his friendship with the lobby boy. The film has a deadpan dark comedy all over, this is done through the editing and the pacing of the film. This film has style over substance and this is usually talked about in a disrespectful way, but all films of Hollywood New Wave (70s) and the most influential European cinema of Godard, Truffaut, Fellini all have style over plot. This film has a plot which gives a satisfying ending, but the film is definitely above the plot. It's a brilliant immersive experience.