The Darjeeling Limited is the first Wes Anderson picture to hit DVD shelves without the Criterion label since his debut (Bottle Rocket). It’s not like it is super important to have to wear that crown or anything but those editions but this lacks the artwork of his brother, Eric, who provided wonder artistry for Rushmore and the others (like The Life Aquatic and The Royal Tenenbaums). Perhaps I am showing off my geekiness by providing such an unimportant detail to many of you. After all, it’s just a DVD release, right? Who cares about the cover art.
But I’ve digressed enough, how about talk of the film, yes? The Darjeeling Limited follows three brothers - Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrian Brody) and Jack Whitman (Jason Schwartzman) - traveling through wondrous India on a train in an attempt to to get closer again. The years have separated them and Francis yearns to build back their relationship to what it once was. Peter and Jack are more reluctant however, and go on this trip with caution.
Problems arise for the brothers when they get kicked off the train for breaking more than a few rules. Not only did they bring prescription drugs on the train without having an actual prescription, they brought a poisonous snake on board and it escapes their custody. So there they are, stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but a dozen suitcases. Francis’ strict schedule is shattered and now the brothers must create their own spiritual journey without the help of pre-planned events.
Director Wes Anderson has made it his specialty to dive into the faulty relationship of upper class white kids. He has no problems creating these broken characters, and it has worked rather well before but with The Darjeeling Limited, the element of surprise is gone. The screenplay was co-written by Anderson, Schwartzman and Roman Coppola, and it’s clear they know what has worked in his previous efforts. They just couldn’t escape the formula enough to try anything new.
There are a few brief cameos from some usual Anderson players - like Bill Murray, Kumar Pallana and Angelica Huston - as well a short role by director Barbet Schroeder that help keep it interesting.
The best thing about The Darjeeling Limited is the cinematography. Every shot is vivid in color and grand in scope. Cinematographer Robert Yeoman (who has shot every Anderson picture) almost tops himself with his beautiful work here, which is assisted in part by the art direction and set design. Every little detail of each shot is colored perfectly, like a painting you can’t pull your eyes away from, and is complimented from an incredibly ranging soundtrack featuring music pulled from the work of Satyajit Ray to the Rolling Stones.
The DVD lacks the exciting extras of a Criterion release but fans will be pleased to know that, while it lacks a commentary, it still has the short film (Hotel Chevalier) which preceded the film during it’s theatrical run. Still, I can’t help but wonder, will Criterion rock this out in the near future? Wes Anderson junkies can only hope.
