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# Wes Anderson's 'The Darjeeling Limited' Follows Three Brothers Searching for Enlightenment
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/100507-story/
- Published: 2007-10-05T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T03:14:07.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By R E V I E W B Y T A Y L O R V A N A R S D A L E* nerability as Peter, the middle son, still grappling with troubles on the home front with a now pregnant wife whom he wanted to divorce. Schwartzman (with impeccable comic timing) plays, Jack, the youngest — a writer who uses his family’s altercations as fodder for his short stories.

Advised by a Guru, Wilson has them attempt a ritual involving peacock feathers, chanting and bizarre gyrations, but their failure to follow Wilson’s instructions; evidenced by their emotional disconnect to each other, causes them to fall short in their oblation.

In a sense they are, like the name of the train, “limited” by their inability to communicate openly with each other. It is not until they are kicked off for mischievous behavior (a fist fight, an escaped cobra, and a pepper spray incident), and are stranded, that they begin their true path to enlightenment.

Forced to rely on each other, they unite in their attempt to rescue several Indian boys from a rushing river. Of this poignant scene, Brody said, “Wes’s direction to me was basically the opposite of what I would usually do, the opposite of being present … it is almost sadder because you see the character’s inability to deal with what’s happening.” And thank you Wes, for directing Brody in this restrained way, for his is a sublime performance and one of the best I have seen.

India conjures up images of a mystical, exotic place and films that take place there are customarily either sweeping epics, like “A Passage to India.” Or political or social commentaries, think “Ghandi.” Or perhaps Bollywood musicals, but now, thanks to Wes Anderson, India is hip and accessible and with its palette of deep cobalt blues, brilliant yellows and electric greens popping with vibrancy, “The Darjeerling Limited” is an ocular feast, every frame packed with interest. Don’t miss this sumptuous film.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/100507-23_02.jpg)

WHOLLY ENTERTAINING: Jason Schwartzman, left, and Adrien Brody shine in ‘Limited.’ (Photo: Photo courtesy James Hamilton)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 5, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/100507.pdf?ref=smdp.com)