Review by Nathan Chandler for The Mungles on Movies

Copyright 2007 Mungleshow Productions. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

After a full year of not speaking to each other, three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman) unite together on a "spiritual quest" through the vast country of India. Amongst a lot of personal baggage and differing personalities, their attempt to rekindle their once strong brotherly bond is not easy as they confront uncommon culture clashes on both the foreign train and country. Despite thorough plans and good intentions, the brothers find themselves abandoned in the deserts of India on a new journey that only fate can take them on.

  Anderson wisely takes a step back from his trademark elements and lets them support the story, rather than the other way around. Instead of creating a world with production design to tell his quirky tale, the country of India is beautifully used with a delicate care and wonder. In a recent conversation with Schwartzman, who also co-wrote the film, he spoke of how the script grew during the research process in India. "India just made things stark. The stuff that seemed superficial just died in India...just fell right off the page." There are some very unusual and funny moments in the film, but that's not its main voice. I was taken in by the human element of how people deal differently with life, death, spirituality, and pain.

  This would have not been pulled off as easily if it weren't for the strong acting abilities of the three leading men. Like most real-life siblings, all three characters have opposite personalities and shine in the moments of arguments, loss, and joy. These scenes don't just act as entertainment, but build upon the theme that you just can't survive in this world without the help of others. To achieve this camaraderie, Anderson didn't just shoot the film on an actual train, but made the actors live there as well. "We were fascinated by each other," Schwartzman said. "I probably never spent more minutes with any other actors than I spent with these three characters."

  The R-rating is for very little language and there is not much to be offended by at all, so don't let the rating keep you away from seeing the film. Wes Anderson fans will have no problems embracing this film with open arms, but I think it will also appeal to a broader audience than his past showings. The Darjeeling Limited poses a lot of questions about serious topics like the nature of religion, family, and death, but does so in such a subtle way that you leave the theater in a light, joyful spirit, yet thought-provoked. So, if you are in the mood to be entertained with a little more substance behind the fun, The Darjeeling Limited will be a refreshing ride. I give it 4 out of 5 laminated itineraries.

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Nathan Chandler is a video producer and editor who lives in the heart of Dallas. He has a knack for making awesome mix CDs and has a vast knowledge for movie trivia. When Nathan isn't writing or producing short films on the side, he is wishing he was on Survivor, rooting for the Cowboys, or making sweet tea runs to Chick-fil-a. You can reach Nathan at his blog. Nathan also co-hosts The Film Alcove Podcast. Check it out!