After the disappointment that was The Life Aquatic (pretty but ultimately empty), I was pleasantly surprised to really enjoy Wes Anderson’s new film The Darjeeling Limited. This is a pretty likable movie, with terrific performances from its three leads. There is also an equally good short film entitled Hotel Chavalier, starring Schwartzman and Natalie Portman, that plays before the main feature (but apparently will not in all theatres nationwide). It’s not absolutely essential, but it provides some backstory to one of the characters and is referenced quite a bit through the feature, and it would be best to see the short beforehand.

If you love Wes Anderson, you’ll enjoy this film. Everything he’s known for, including his whimsical plots, are on display here. Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody, and Owen Wilson play estranged brothers Jack, Peter, and Francis, respectively, who meet on a train in India, with all in search of their mother (Anjelica Huston). All three have problems… Jack is feeling hurt over way things ended up with his ex-girlfriend (Natalie Portman), Peter is scared about a coming baby being born that is his own, and Francis is bruised up pretty bad from a motorcycle accident that may or may not have been an accident.

My admiration for Anderson’s movies has made for kind of a bumpy road. I enjoyed Bottle Rocket but remember none of it. I have a strange strong dislike for Rushmore, beloved by everyone, but not by me. I absolutely love The Royal Tenenbaums and have seen it at least five times. I didn’t really care for The Life Aquatic but thought it looked great. And now there’s The Darjeeling Limited, which doesn’t really amount to a whole lot and feels like a middling effort from the director, but I would probably put it second behind Royal Tenenbaums. There’s just a really nice tone and pace to this movie that doesn’t try to be overly ambitious like Life Aquatic and instead tells a simple story with three brothers who become closer and closer throughout the movie. It’s pretty effortless to get involved in this one.

The cast is limited but excellent. The funny thing is I don’t really care for Wilson, Brody, or Schwartzman as performers, yet I found them all pretty lovable in this movie. Maybe three negatives make a positive I guess. Portman is wonderfully sexy in the opening short film… I only wish she could’ve been part of the feature more. Anjelica Huston shows up in the end as the mother, proving again that even just a little of her makes a movie all the better. I’ve missed her presence in movies as of late. And another Anderson regular Bill Murray shows up in the opening scene as The Businessman, proving, like Huston, he can make the most of any role he’s given.

The movie is a mix of both serious and funny, heartfelt and mean-spirited, tragic and ironic, sad and true. There are a number of memorable moments. And the dynamic camera-work, use of location, and soundtrack all add to what makes for not a ground-breaking Anderson movie, but one that ranks with his best work. There’s no way of predicting where Anderson will go next, but I’ll be looking forward to it.

3 stars (out of 4)