IF BECK IS THE MUSICAL GENIUS OF our generation, then director Wes Anderson may well be his cinematic counterpart — combining stylized visual poetry, a natural gift for storytelling, unconventional film design and his characteristic slow motion shots (juxtaposed with songs by the Kinks, The Rolling Stones and Satyajit Ray) to create a tour de force with “The Darjeerling Limited.”
A 12-minute short (available via Internet only; starring Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman) pre-empts the film. Fox Searchlight’s marketing strategy is to “try to get every person who goes to the film to see the short first,” which eliminates people — like my father — who still don’t own a computer. Sorry Dad, you’re gonna miss a nearly nude Natalie. Although at 76, I have the distinct feeling he’s not their intended demographic; and I don’t necessarily want him having a heart attack either.
“Limited” tells the story of three estranged American brothers traveling on a train (of the same name) across India in an effort to bond, reconnect and become friends again.
Owen Wilson portrays Francis the eldest, who simultaneously acts as parental figure — presumptuously ordering everyone’s meals, and tour guide — educating his siblings on trip protocol, planning every step of their “adventure” with a carefully controlled itinerary which he naively believes will foster a sense of supernal camaraderie. That anyone could aspire to gain spirituality within the constraints of such a regimented program is of course ironic; but sincere whimsy and fragile desperation is Wilson’s forte; and he plays Francis with earnest charm, hiding his true goal — to reunite his brothers with their peripatetic mother, (Angelica Huston) who left long ago to join a remote Indian nunnery.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 5, 2007. Read the original PDF.