"The Darjeeling Limited" (2007)

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) is a standing ovation film.

Because there is just nothing as delightful, as engaging, as likable as a Wes Anderson film. Actually, there's just nothing like a Wes Anderson film, period.

A few notes:

- the father's eyeglasses that Peter (Adrien Brody) wears throughout the movie are the perfect returning motif for a film about finding a new way to see the world.

- Wes Anderson's films know exactly where objects should be. The placement of (the perfect) items in the perfect place is impeccable and makes his films highly iconographic/emblematic. When a film gives us the time to infuse those objects with meaning, the power of the associations we make with these objects can be repeatedly called upon during the rest of the film to quickly invoke a larger theme or question. This approach gives the viewer the impression that they infused the object with the meaning themselves. I'm astounded that so few films use objects in this way (and if they do, never with the same level of meticulous care).

- Favorite line: when Anjelica Houston's character, Patricia the nun, is talking about the death of their father. She says, "We'll never get over it, but it's okay. There are greater forces at work."

- This whole exchange:

Francis: "I guess she became a nun, apparently. You know what she's like."

Jack: "A nun?"

Francis: "Apparently."

It's impossible to actually write down everything charming and stirring and poignant and hilarious and heartbreaking and decadent and honest about this film. Wes Anderson films are the best films.

And finally, of course: