Today the first trailer for Wes Anderson’s new film, The Grand Budapest Hotel, was released. Based on its content, the three words best suited to describe what Anderson’s latest is likely to be are “playful,” “precise,” and “peculiar.” In what should come as no coincidence, these are also the best words to describe Wes Anderson himself. The movie looks like it’s going to be another classic, so here are a slew of bullet points providing some nuggets to ponder in anticipation of the March 7, 2014 release:
- The intensely manicured nature of Ralph Fiennes’s mustache.
- Ralph Fiennes’s character’s name, Gustave H.
- The mean age of the women Gustave H becomes friendly with.
- The number of times the term “Lobby Boy” will be said.
- Will we get to meet Lobby Boy as an adult, while he narrates?
- How far down the depression scale will this Bill Murray/Wes Anderson character sink? Moonrise Kingdom, The Royal Tenenbaums, or lower?
- Who will be the more childish adult: Owen Wilson or Jason Schwartzman?
- Where is Luke Wilson?
- Kids with a far superior vocabulary than they have any right to boast.
- Who painted Boy With Apple?
- Who killed Tilda Swinton?
- Running in Anderson’s films continues to be hilarious.
- How many harpsichords were used for the soundtrack?
- Over/under on baths drawn in the entire film: 12.5.
- Which new racial stereotype will be exploited this time?
- Symmetrical sets, symmetrical shots…what else is symmetrical?
- What grand actions will be happening in the background of each meticulously crafted scene?
- Nostalgia. Just in general.
Of course, this just scratches the surface—there’s plenty more to consider. While you wait to have all these points and more addressed next March, treat yourself to nonstop matches of Wes Anderson Bingo. Think you’ll be able to make the wait?
Who’s to say. (But he didn’t deserve to die.)
