Grand Budapest Hotel

Discouraged by some sniffy reviews from folks we trust, we missed Wes Anderson’s film “The Grand Budapest Hotel” during its theatrical release. A long international flight rescued us from our apathy. Now, we’re certain we’ll be watching TGBH again. It’s a masterpiece. Set in the early 20th Century in a fictionalized region of Europe, the story defies simple synopsizing. Like the best work of the Coen Brothers, TGBH is utterly unpredictable, tremendously funny, and strangely touching. With an astonishing cast lead by Ralph Fiennes as a legendary concierge and sets and costumes torn from old books, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is one of the most transporting movies we’ve seen in years.