The Darjeeling Limited [DVD] [2007]

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 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.

Being Indian, this film struck a more personal feeling. Seeing the real India in a film is always a pleasure, but the way Anderson has caught in on camera makes it seem mysterious...