Since most people are only familiar with a limited number of Anderson's films, I will start by pointing out that this is not the quirky whimsical reverie that one sees in his better-known works. Here the film maker seems to take a turn towards more mature themes. The approach is still W.A. in that there are many of the elements from his previous cinematic sojourns: unwarranted humor, odd dialogue and silences, spatial unreliability, unexpected confessions...the visuals are also as spectacular as everywhere else on Wes' outings. Speaking of which, the fact that this is the only document which contains a much closer inspection of Natalie Portman's natural beauty makes this in and of itself a mouthwatering treasure of a film. I give this film an 8 (not a 10) only because it doesn't actually show all of Natalie at her peak, but what it does show is more than worth the 12+ minutes of your earthly time. We need that blooper reel, homes.
Review of Hotel Chevalier
