- Actors: Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Amara Karan, Wallace Wolodarsky
- Directors: Wes Anderson
- Writers: Jason Schwartzman, Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
- Producers: Alice Bamford, Anadil Hossain, Jeremy Dawson, Lydia Dean Pilcher
- Format: Colour, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: R (Restricted) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Criterion
- DVD Release Date: 12 Oct 2010
- Run Time: 91 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B003KGBIRU
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 60,608 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Family tension again provides dramatic comedy in Wes Anderson's new film, The Darjeeling Limited, about three American brothers travelling by train to find their reclusive mother in rural India. Like The Royal Tenenbaums, this film succeeds because of its smart, funny script in addition to the visual beauty of India and its luxurious locomotive transportation. In Darjeeling, the oldest brother, Francis (Owen Wilson), blackmails his two younger siblings, Peter (Adrien Brody), and Jack (Jason Schwartzman), into travelling to a monastery where their mother, Patricia (Anjelica Huston), has been in hiding as a nun. Supposedly embarking on a spiritual quest, the three men reminisce about the recent death of their father, and the family's irreconcilable problems previous to their reunification. Though they do find Patricia, Francis, Peter, and Jack grow immensely from another brush with death, this time an Indian boy they try to rescue, giving the film an added conceptual depth that Anderson's previous films have been accused of lacking. Co-written by Roman Coppola, The Darjeeling Limited is a finely-tuned critique of American materialism, emotional vacuity, and lack of spiritualism, presented in ironic twists and gorgeous cinematography and lighting recalling Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller. A lovely, poignant sequence occurs while the three brothers attend a traditional Indian funeral, and flash back to their father's one year prior. Moreover, the film's soundtrack culled from Satyajit Ray's films and vintage Kinks gives the film a timeless feel, removing it from the predictable indie rock scoring of independent releases. By far Anderson's best film thus far, The Darjeeling Limited offers a much-needed dose of cultural self-reflection, pillared against India's ever-evolving yet ancient religious backbone. --Trinie Dalton, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having always liked the sound of Wes Anderson's films, `The Life Aquatic' and `The Royal Tenenbaums' both failed to live up to my expectations, despite the latter being a commercial and critical success. His archetypal studies of the human condition through damaged characters and dysfunctional families, is an acquired taste, but I've always been drawn to the intelligence and warmth inherent in his movies; despite their flaws.
The Darjeeling Limited follows the fortunes of three American brothers who have been estranged for years and who all meet up on the eponymous train travelling across India, in order to repair their fractured relationship and to simply be brothers again. Owen Wilson is the domineering older brother, Francis, whilst Adrian Brody and Jason Schwartzman play the younger siblings. Francis' regimented behaviour - at one point even telling the others what they should order from the buffet car menu - soon causes the newly renewed relationship to fracture; this is compounded by the brothers' crazy behaviour getting them kicked off the train by the irate steward.
Eventually, after a further series of trials and bonding moments, the three find their mother - who abandoned them as children - and an emotional reunion takes place. This being a Wes Anderson film though it's not that straightforward, and through flashback we see how the three became estranged in the first place.
The film is a hit and miss affair overall, but I found it altogether warmer and more engaging than the director's previous works. The three actors work well together, and with a brief cameo from Bill Murray and plenty of humourous moments on the train, this is very watchable and not a little entertaining.
The main feature is preceded by a brief film titled `Hotel Chevalier'. Starring Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman, it recounts younger brother Jack's surprise visit from his ex-girlfriend, and although nothing much happens - she appears, they have sex, they look out of the window onto Paris - it works reasonably well as a prologue to the main film.
The Darjeeling Limited follows the fortunes of three American brothers who have been estranged for years and who all meet up on the eponymous train travelling across India, in order to repair their fractured relationship and to simply be brothers again. Owen Wilson is the domineering older brother, Francis, whilst Adrian Brody and Jason Schwartzman play the younger siblings. Francis' regimented behaviour - at one point even telling the others what they should order from the buffet car menu - soon causes the newly renewed relationship to fracture; this is compounded by the brothers' crazy behaviour getting them kicked off the train by the irate steward.
Eventually, after a further series of trials and bonding moments, the three find their mother - who abandoned them as children - and an emotional reunion takes place. This being a Wes Anderson film though it's not that straightforward, and through flashback we see how the three became estranged in the first place.
The film is a hit and miss affair overall, but I found it altogether warmer and more engaging than the director's previous works. The three actors work well together, and with a brief cameo from Bill Murray and plenty of humourous moments on the train, this is very watchable and not a little entertaining.
The main feature is preceded by a brief film titled `Hotel Chevalier'. Starring Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman, it recounts younger brother Jack's surprise visit from his ex-girlfriend, and although nothing much happens - she appears, they have sex, they look out of the window onto Paris - it works reasonably well as a prologue to the main film.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Darjeeling Limited has to be one of the oddest films I have seen recently, and one of the best. In typical Wes Anderson style it is the tale of redemption and salvation for a dysfunctional family, told in the quirkiest manner possible.
Three brothers who have not spoken since the funeral of their father a year before set off on a journey across India by train. Ostensibly planned by one of them as a journey of self discovery and spiritual healing, the real goal is even deeper and more meaningful.
The film follows the brother's adventures and misadventures as they travel towards their destination. The planned spiritual experiences have limited effect, but after a seismic cataclysm befalls them they slowly start to realise what is important in life and all three start to find the spiritual healing they all need. It's a beautifully told story of discovery, both of the self and of the wider world. Written and directed by an in form Wes Anderson, and featuring some excellent performances from the three leads this is a film that sticks in the memory and manages to deliver a message without being preachy. There is also a great cameo from Anderson regular Bill Murray.
Five stars, no hesitation.
Three brothers who have not spoken since the funeral of their father a year before set off on a journey across India by train. Ostensibly planned by one of them as a journey of self discovery and spiritual healing, the real goal is even deeper and more meaningful.
The film follows the brother's adventures and misadventures as they travel towards their destination. The planned spiritual experiences have limited effect, but after a seismic cataclysm befalls them they slowly start to realise what is important in life and all three start to find the spiritual healing they all need. It's a beautifully told story of discovery, both of the self and of the wider world. Written and directed by an in form Wes Anderson, and featuring some excellent performances from the three leads this is a film that sticks in the memory and manages to deliver a message without being preachy. There is also a great cameo from Anderson regular Bill Murray.
Five stars, no hesitation.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am not particularly a fan of Anderson - I loved Rushmore, but was bored by both The Life Aquatic and The Royal Tenenbaums. I am, however, a fan of good cinema. To me The Darjeeling Limited demonstrates both the beauty and simplicity of the cinematic form, but more than that, it demonstrates potential. It demonstrates what is possible, not only in terms of the creative form, but also what the Hollywood machine; the accountants, backers, producers and studio executives (those outside of the artistic process) are capable of agreeing to finance. This is the real brilliance of this project.
In terms of the actual cinematic experience, the sets, costumes, music, cinematography, dialogue and performances are about as good as I have seen in a LONG while; this is such a very coherent project which is ultimately the antithesis of what the potential viewer can engage with if they head down to their local rental shop. I think this is a film even detractors should watch once, because I sincerely believe that to anyone who watches it, their frame-of-reference will be shifted, altered and expanded. If you hate this film, so-be-it, but you might want to ask yourself why; what underlies that dislike and distaste. Because maybe, just maybe, the films you have been watching thus far in your life have blunted your sensitivities and sensibilities to real Art and real beauty. If you are unable to grasp this film and appreciate it then I would suggest you are lacking in your propensity and capacity to cognize the peripheries of life and Art.
In terms of the actual cinematic experience, the sets, costumes, music, cinematography, dialogue and performances are about as good as I have seen in a LONG while; this is such a very coherent project which is ultimately the antithesis of what the potential viewer can engage with if they head down to their local rental shop. I think this is a film even detractors should watch once, because I sincerely believe that to anyone who watches it, their frame-of-reference will be shifted, altered and expanded. If you hate this film, so-be-it, but you might want to ask yourself why; what underlies that dislike and distaste. Because maybe, just maybe, the films you have been watching thus far in your life have blunted your sensitivities and sensibilities to real Art and real beauty. If you are unable to grasp this film and appreciate it then I would suggest you are lacking in your propensity and capacity to cognize the peripheries of life and Art.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Darjeeling fine
3 brothers board a train separately & set off to reclaim their mom, who has entered a convent after her husband's death.A main feature is failings of all kinds. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Malcolmnet
The Darjeeling UNLimited. lol i dunno.
This is one of the most deep and emotional films I've ever had the pleasure of watching. I love it. One of my personal favorite films. Read more
Published 10 months ago by BHR
"F**k the itinerary"
This film is one of my favourites. Wes Anderson brings us another outstanding film, taking us on a spiritual journey, but of course on the way, and with any of Anderson's film, we... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ready Fleckk
Just surreal enough to be realistic
Having grown up in India, I was keen to see this when it was suggested to me. I also like Owen Wilson's puppy-dog humour. Read more
Published 13 months ago by MacBraveheart
Wes Anderson continues as a unique and wonderful voice.
While this got very mixed reviews from the critical establishment, as well as here on Amazon, I found I really enjoyed it. Read more
Published 18 months ago by K. Gordon
Intelligent, thoughtful and beautifully photographed
Found this for a pound in a discount store. Have never seen a Wes Anderson film before, but the Time Out review on the cover sounded promising and I wasn't disappointed. Read more
Published 19 months ago by CallyK
thanks? No thanks.
I resisted seeing this film when it came out because intuition told me it would be rubbish. But I kept reading rave reviews in the press. I could be wrong, I thought. Read more
Published 21 months ago by spirit level
Disapointing
Having enjoyed "The Royal Tenenbaums" and roared with laughter at "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" I expected much from this film. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Pilansberg pete
LOVELY
This is a lovely aimless and hilarious film.
It's so affectionate about India, the effect that the place and the railways and the people and the sights and sounds there have... Read more
It's so affectionate about India, the effect that the place and the railways and the people and the sights and sounds there have... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Michele
Funny and touching tale
This film is typically Wes Anderson but, for me, that is not a bad thing. It follows three brothers who have grown apart but are brought together by the oldest (Wilson) who decides... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Veritas
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