The Darjeeling Limited

The Darjeeling Limited

     This film is not for everyone. I truly believe that is all that needs to be said. However, I feel an obligation to bring some commentary to this, well, let’s just say interesting picture that was written and directed by Wes Anderson. As a side note, I really have not had the opportunity to watch many of Anderson’s previous films, so this was a bit of a “journey” for me.

     Honestly, I really do not know how I feel about this movie. At first glance, it seems ridiculous and shallow, but as I continue to reflect on different aspects of the film I find myself curiously wondering about the metaphors and underlying story line that seemed translucent at the time. If you have not figured it out, even I am perplexed by what Anderson has produced in “The Darjeeling Limited”.

     Ok, with that being said, this movie takes off with three brothers reuniting after about a year of separation. The reason for the get-together is because of the untimely death of their father. Frances (Owen Wilson) tries to get the three brothers together to reconnect and reestablish their familial bond. He is overtly controlling, which later is revealed to be a personality flaw he inherits from his mother. Wilson invites his two other brothers, Jack (Jason Schwartzman) and Peter (Adrien Brody), to take a train ride across India in search of spiritual enlightenment. As quickly becomes apparent, all three individuals have deep seeded issues with regard to the love they did or did not receive from their parents. There seems to be some type of strange fascination with which one of the boys garnered their father’s love.

     What about mom you say? Well, mother has gone off to the Himalayas to become a Nun. Wait, what? I had to do a little research to see if that was even possible. I am not certain that the marriage ended in divorce or not, but it appears that was the case. Now, based upon some super-sleuthing on my part, it does appear that there is a remote chance that a divorced mother could become a Nun. I know, you are happy I shared that with you. What is the point? Well, mother abandoned her three boys to fulfill her spiritual calling. I feel the filmmaker took this liberty to point out the hypocrisy that is often viewed with religion. Several times throughout the movie, the director references spiritual ideas with comedy. The mocking of religion seems to be prevalent at every turn until the moment when true spiritual conviction hits.

     The show moves away from the intermittently disbursed comedy when our trio discover three children in a life threatening situation. The brothers run to the rescue only to save two of the three children. Interestingly enough, this is the most amazing part of the movie for me. If someone is moving through a spiritual journey and they cross death’s path, one would surmise it to be a life altering experience. However, later in the movie they indicate that their “spiritual journey” is not going very well. Yet again, I believe the director is pointing out how we can overlook the very thing we seek.

     As the brothers continue their journey, they continue to pick up pieces of their father’s possessions most notably his suitcases. These suitcases follow them as they travel across the country and represents years of baggage. They also track down their mother to find out why she didn’t attend their father’s funeral. Her response was simple, “…because I didn’t want too.” After her lack luster reunion with her children, dear old mom abandons them one last time as she disappears before the boys awake the next morning. Seeming unfazed by this the three boys head back to the train station. As they reach the station, the train is pulling out and the three run to catch their ride home. Each one of them are carrying several pieces of the “luggage” and realize quickly they will be unable to reach the train if they don’t drop their baggage. If nothing else, it’s symbolic of all the things they each have been holding on to during their lives.

     Nutshell, the movie was ok to watch. What I found more amazing was how much I thought about it after I watched it. The acting was good, scenery was outstanding, and the music was strange. I give this movie a three out of five stars. I liked the fact that it made me think after the movie, but in the same instance, I wish it would have captivated my attention more during the actual flick. I think the director only scratched the surface with this film. I wanted more and it just didn’t quite deliver for me. It wasn’t a complete train wreck.

That's How Matt Sees It!