The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Director:

Wes Anderson

Writers (WGA):

Wes Anderson (written by) &
Roman Coppola (written by) ...

Release Date:

26 octubre 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other -- to become brothers again like they used to be. Their "spiritual quest", however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray), and they eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine. At this moment, a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins.

Plot Keywords:

Throwing Stones | Tiger | Cigarette | Book | Motorcycle

Awards:

3 nominations

Comentarios de los usuarios:

Anderson hits it big with offbeat, quietly affecting effort

Cast

Owen Wilson	...	Francis L. Whitman
Adrien Brody	...	Peter L. Whitman
Jason Schwartzman	...	Jack L. Whitman
Amara Karan	...	Rita
Wallace Wolodarsky	...	Brendan
Waris Ahluwalia	...	The Chief Steward
Irfan Khan	...	The Father (as Irrfan Khan)
Barbet Schroeder	...	The Mechanic
Camilla Rutherford	...	Alice
Bill Murray	...	The Businessman
Anjelica Huston	...	Sister Patricia Whitman
Mr. A.P. Singh	...	Taxi Driver (as A.P. Singh)
Kumar Pallana	...	Old Man
Dalpat Singh	...	Waiter
Trudy Matthys	...	German Lady #1

También conocida como:

Viaje a Darjeeling (Argentina) (Mexico) (Spain) [es]

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Duración:

91 min

País:

USA

Idioma:

English | German | Hindi | Sanskrit

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sonido:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Clasificación:

Singapore:PG | Hong Kong:IIB | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | UK:15 | Brazil:14 | USA:R (certificate #43707) | South Korea:15 | Germany:6 | Finland:K-11 | Netherlands:12 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Argentina:13 | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Portugal:M/12 | Ireland:15A | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Sweden:11 | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

India

Company:

American Empirical Pictures

Trivialidades:

The character of Vladimir Wolodarsky in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), was named after Wallace Wolodarsky, who played Brendan

Goofs:

Continuity: When Peter is reading Jack's short story on the train, in the first shot he is reading the first page. In the next shot, he is reading a different page (the page has been turned to hide the paper clip that is holding the story together), in the next shot, the first page is showing again and has not been folded back.

Quotes:

Peter: You know, maybe right before whenever you're about to take out your tooth, you should say something like, "Please forgive this." Because, actually, it's kind of...
Francis: Can you back away a little? You just spit in my eye.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-09-29)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Les Champs-Elysées

Anderson hits it big with offbeat, quietly affecting effort

Given the trademark quirkiness yet insight into many profound truths of human behaviour one would expect from director Wes Anderson, it should come as no surprise that his latest film, The Darjeeling Limited, demonstrates the majority of these traits with particular flair and distinction, arguably Anderson's strongest work to date.

The typically disjointed plot details three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman) who, in an attempt to bridge the gap between them, embark on a "spiritual journey" across India by train. Of course, considering Anderson's tendency towards offbeat comedic situations, and a series of problems involving Indian cough syrup, a poisonous cobra and pepper spray, the journey does not, of course, go as planned, and the brothers are forced to cope with their increasingly difficult situation and each other in turn.

Do not mistake the film for the conventional road trip buddy comedy it may appear to be - Anderson is far too eclectic and clever to subscribe to such traditional fare, and his film is instead a far more emotional effort. With a particular knack for intricate character and storyline development, Anderson's script carefully doles out tidbits of character history throughout, painting a gradual and remarkably detailed portrait of the central characters as the film progresses. Though the film may drag or feel as if it falls slightly short of its true potential at times, on the whole it is far to easy to be swept up by the film to dwell on such minor concerns.

The gorgeous Indian scenery is captured with particular affection by Anderson's jarring cinematography and sharp eye for intriguing colour schemes. The film's wonderfully fitting soundtrack perfectly compliments the sublime visuals, making for one of the most aesthetically pleasing films in recent memory.

The central three actors are the real draw of the film, and all three boast excellent chemistry throughout. Owen Wilson, as usual, is effortlessly funny as spiritually obsessive control freak Francis, but also brings a tragic undercurrent to his character, made more poignant due to recent real life events out of character. A superb Adrien Brody steals the show as the emotionally unstable soon to be father Pete, demonstrating both previously unseen comedic abilities, and genuinely affecting emotional clout. As bitter writer Jack, Jason Schwartzman proves proficient at raising many a laugh, but despite his strong performance is easily overshone by his two co-stars during the film's dramatic moments. Watch also for amusing cameos from Bill Murray and Natalie Portman (featured more significantly in the film's 13 minute prequel found online at www.hotelchevalier.com), and a somewhat forced supporting role from Angelica Huston near the end.

Like the rest of Anderson's other work, audiences will likely either love it or hate it. This is not a typical belly laugh evoking comedy à-la-Superbad - the humour present is more sly and chuckle worthy, and prides itself more on precisely crafted characters and situations than sight gags and one liners. Those willing to appreciate the film for what it is will enjoy an intelligent and touching spiritual meditation on family, and life in general. The joy is in the journey, and a journey as quirky and sentimental as this is one easily worth taking - for those willing to put forth the effort to overcome mainstream expectations, the film will not disappoint.

-8/10