Wes Anderson's 2014 film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is perhaps the most pure comedy I have seen in sometime. Warning to those who have not seen the film this post will contain spoilers. To begin let us define comedy, I am speaking of Aristotelian comedy in which a character begins the work in low standing and ends up in a much better position by the work's end.
In the case of "The Grand Budapest Hotel" Zero Mustafa is the main character who, as his name implies is a man with nothing, no family, education, or prospects. Zero is taken in by the film's other protagonist M. Gustave who teaches Zero the hotel trade. As the film goes own the two form a close bond as their adventures lead them to great fortune and great loss. In the end of the film Gustave is killed and Zero is left the richest man in Zubrowka (the imaginary country in which the film is set.)
In the film's final act it is revealed Zero feels very lonely in his own massive hotel. The character's sadness is the revealed to be woven through the film and the film's moral is revealed. I enjoyed the film greatly and see it now for what it is a perfect example of Aristotelian comedy with a unique twist worked into the film's conclusion.
All Wes Anderson films toe the line of the absolutely absurd, so it makes sense that Grand Budapest makes an unexpected twist to the classic Aristotle comedy!
ReplyDeleteGrand Budapest has a great story line and properly exhibits the rise of fortune needed to successfully have a dramatic comedy. Aristotle's definition is fulfilled with the story line of Zero, and creates an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post! I also love that the character's name is Zero. It gives the watcher the initial impression of a character who is starting at the bottom.
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