The Darjeeling Limited

[SynapticBoomstick]

I just watched this movie today with my brother AKA The Introducer- I see a lot of movies I'd at first not liked then raved about through him. I liked The Life Aquatic and Bottle Rocket so when he told me that this was another one of that director's films i sat down to watch it. I can't figure out which genre it falls into so I'll just call it a really well-made movie. Three brothers who don't trust eachother set out on a spiritual journey through India to meet their mother years after their father was killed in a car accident. Awkward hilarity and running gags ensue but it never gets old due to the perfect pacing of events. It's just a good movie, I'm lost on what to really say

Anybody else see it? Thoughts? Favorite moment? Favorite character? Other comments?

[peter johnson]

I mostly liked it very much, but then not so much. I thought there was trepidation on the part of the director -- I wanted the spiritual insight they got in the village at the funeral of the boy to be bigger.  I wanted to see the tiger that made the footprints at the monestary.  I wanted the train to strand them in the desert when they went up the hill to perform their retarded ritual -- okay, now that scene really was funny!!
Having really enjoyed Bottle Rocket & his other films, I felt that he squandered some opportunities here -- My favorite scene was where the train itself became a metaphor for all their lives, and you see a different life being played out in each rail car.  I wanted more of the movie to be like that scene.
I think a large part of my general neutrality in reaction to the picture stems from all the time I spent riding trains in India in the late '70s -- The actual experience is 17 shades weirder than the film let it be.  I guess I was expecting more.
peter johnson/denny crane

[Neville]

I though it was great. They nailed the dynamics between the brothers in the film, the mixture of drama and off the wall humour was fitting, and the visuals were very interesting. I'd go as far as saying that it's Wes Anderson's best film.

Favourite bits? The fight between the brothers in their wagon, which culminates in extensive use of pepper spray. Bill Murray running towards the train. The moment were we see all the characters in vignettes.