During the lockdown I’ve been spending all my time at my childhood home. My parents get Turner Classic Movies in their cable package, and despite seemingly being the target demo and despite having loved Fathom Events screenings organized by TCM (and attending the TCM Film Festival one year) I’ve almost never watched the channel. I decided to peruse now and see what was there, particularly since I was looking for an older movie with which to combine Extraction.
Lucky me – just a couple of weeks later there was a 1949 movie called Song of India, starring America’s first Indian star (and only one for about 65 years), Sabu. Now that I had an Indian-set adventure to watch, I looked forward to it.
Unfortunately, by the time I was set to watch it, it was gone from the DVR. I don’t know if my dad saw the title and thought it was something he’d accidentally recorded off of Zee TV.
Regardless, I now needed a different movie and searched for stuff set in India. Specifically American movies set there, as I’d already sat through too much horrible Bollywood in my life.
I was pleasantly surprised to be reminded of Wes Anderson’s fifth movie! It’s also possibly my favorite of his, with the exception of The Royal Tenenbaums.
Very high bar to cross.
I have to mention that my love of this movie had nothing to do with its India setting. While by age 26 I’d gotten over the hatred of what I viewed as such a filthy country I was often forced to visit growing up, I was also years away from getting to a point where I’d long to see India and would have fun there (admittedly on the conditions that my best friend come along and we stay in nice hotels) . It’s just a great film.
Actually, I have to amend what I just said. While the fact that it was specifically set in India didn’t add anything to The Darjeeling Limited for me, the fact that it was set in A foreign country added a lot. It was beautiful seeing the train traveling through a countryside new to me, to see actors of a different culture speaking a new language, and to be up close and personal with novel sightseeing attractions.
Real adventure of mine.
The movie’s not a travelogue though – what matters much more is the human story at the core. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman play three estranged brothers brought back together after being invited back into the life of their estranged mother (Anjelica Houston) who has been off finding her spiritual self for many, many years and not been part of their lives. The brothers work through their differences and bond as best as they can while traveling across India towards where they are supposed to meet her.
The movie is filled with Wes Anderson’s unique touches, from the soft psychedelic classic rock soundtrack to the deadpan delivery of lines to the writing on the screen identifying things to the random quirks, such as Bill Murray’s cameo early on. As a huge fan of his, I tend to love every minute of his films for their idiosyncrasies.
This one is particularly special, because it also has the moving story making us ask why family is special and what constitutes it, AND it takes us on an adventure to an often-beautiful foreign country.
Also, when you watch this, watch the short prequel Hotel Chevalier. Nice little piece of meditative filmmaking, where Natalie Portman shares her beautiful bottom with all of us!
Such a goddess even with her clothes on!
Bottom line: Loved it!
P.S. I first saw the movie at a PBS screening before it came out. I was supposed to attend a Film Independent preview screening that evening, but wouldn’t make it all the way to the Westside Pavilion from my Paramount job early enough. The good news is that those of us in line who didn’t get in were told there was a PBS screening in the same building starting right then. The bad news is that we would miss out on the cast and crew Q&A meant to take place right after the FIND screening. The other good news is that Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman arrived well in advance of the FIND Q&A and, when asked if they would answer questions for us PBS audience members as well, they were happy to do so.
Even better news: when I walked up to Mr. Brody after the Q&A and asked for a picture, he was happy to say yes. It would have been PERFECT to share now, but looks like I don’t have it anymore. This was before I had a smart phone and I guess there was no easy way to get it onto a computer from my flip phone ☹
As my friend Paul says, “Whole life ahead of you.” I’m sure I’ll get another chance to meet him.
I guess this will have to do for now.
P.P.S. I actually did see him in person another time! During the Pinkberry craze in the late 00s, my friends and I were at one of the imitators (Red Mango in Westwood) and Brody walked in with a date. What’s funny is that none of the other guys noticed him – everyone was preoccupied by the hot girl. I suppose I was the biggest fan of his since I still noticed him.
P.P.P.S This is actually reminding me of my favorite scene in Rush. The protagonist James Hunt’s main rival in Formula One, Niki Lauda, was stranded along with his girlfriend Marlene. She thought they could easily hitchhike because people would look at her and want to help the hot girl. Some guys quickly did stop, and Marlene got smug, but it turns out they weren’t stopping for her – they were Formula One fans and wanted to meet Niki Lauda!
Might be going overboard with the tangents – although Chris Hemsworth is making everything come full circle!
P.P.P.P.S. Actually let’s move on – that’s enough.
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