The reactions to Wes Anderson’s new film, The Darjeeling Limited, have been the usual mixed bag of praise for its visual style and complaints about its twee preciousness. But Hotel Chevalier, The Darjeeling Limited’s prologue, a 13-minute short film released exclusively — free of charge — through iTunes, is a gem.
Hotel Chevalier takes place in a lavish Parisian hotel room filled with typical Andersonian colors and quirky details (e.g., the Marc Jacobs suitcases that play a major role in Darjeeling), where stars Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman fumble through a complicated relationship. The constraints of the short format seem to have been a spur to Anderson — his deliberate pacing and meticulously constructed interiors perfectly fit the gliding camera, sparse dialogue, and emotional reserve. The (surprise!) perfectly chosen Peter Sarstedt song “Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)” provides this film’s emotional punch — in fact, this short seems more packed with feeling than any Anderson feature.
Hotel Chevalier from iTunes
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