The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Director:

Wes Anderson

Writers (WGA):

Wes Anderson (written by) &
Roman Coppola (written by) ...

Release Date:

26 October 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other -- to become brothers again like they used to be. Their "spiritual quest", however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray), and they eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine. At this moment, a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins.

Plot Keywords:

Nun | Businessman | Throwing Stones | Steward | Train

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Owen Wilson	...	Francis L. Whitman
Adrien Brody	...	Peter L. Whitman
Jason Schwartzman	...	Jack L. Whitman
Amara Karan	...	Rita
Wallace Wolodarsky	...	Brendan
Waris Ahluwalia	...	The Chief Steward
Irfan Khan	...	The Father (as Irrfan Khan)
Barbet Schroeder	...	The Mechanic
Camilla Rutherford	...	Alice
Bill Murray	...	The Businessman
Anjelica Huston	...	Sister Patricia Whitman
Mr. A.P. Singh	...	Taxi Driver (as A.P. Singh)
Kumar Pallana	...	Old Man
Dalpat Singh	...	Waiter
Trudy Matthys	...	German Lady #1

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | Hindi | Sanskrit

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | Netherlands:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Brazil:14 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Sweden:11 | USA:R (certificate #43707) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Ireland:15A | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | New Zealand:M | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

India

Company:

American Empirical Pictures

Trivia:

Natalie Portman, who appeared in a cameo, traveled to the film's location in Jodhpur, India, to shoot for about half an hour and then spent 10 days exploring India afterward.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jack is smoking out the window of the train, Rita's cigarette changes lengths. When we first see her it is just a butt, but the next cut shows a full cigarette.

Quotes:

[first lines]
The Businessman: That's my train.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-09-29)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Charu's Theme

Wes Anderson haters need not apply

The Brothers Whitman--Lothario Jack(Jason Swartzman),repressed responsible Peter(Adrien Brody) and Alpha-male Francis(Owen Wilson)travel to India for a "spiritual journey",which seems to be as much an excuse to heal their relationship,strained since their father's death and mother's departure into the nunnery than any broad "spiritual" exploration. The process is long,odd and more than a little contentious,as would be expected.

While I'm not quite what one would call a "fan" of Mr. Anderson's, I've liked most everything he's made. Having said that,I'd say this was not one of my favorites. The acting is maybe the best part,with the three leads becoming much more brotherly as the show's unconventional(to put it mildly)story plugs on. The pacing and focus of this film seems lazy or distracted,and while I understand that to be the general manqué of Anderson's movies, it seems even worse on this go-around.

I know that the director inspires about as much negative passion as positive,so I am well aware that there are people out there that would be WAY less than pleased (if not flat-out bored) with this effort. I mention this because,for once,I think I could get where these people are coming from. Having said that,though,this movie still has a delicacy and care that compels me to think this at the very least as a sincere and honest attempt at creating a "thinking" piece. In some ways his most ambitious movie(i.e. the setting,the casting difficulties,the logistics) and in other ways maybe his most conservative(relatively little action and more focus on character and inter-play), this might be a real test as to how much of a fan you are of his movies and, for that part,also of Wilson,Swartzmann,Brody or Anjelica Huston (as the runaway nun mom) who are (with the exception of Brody) common contributor's to Mr.Anderson's cannon of work. While I'm not sure I could pass the test--"Rushmore" or "The Royal Tenenbaums" I enjoyed much more--I don't think that has to be a mark against this movie. A mild recommendation at best.