Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s get started!

The Grand Budapest Hotel

2014

Directed by Wes Anderson

Quick synopsis… Between the world wars, Gustave H., the concierge at a prestigious European hotel, takes a bellboy named Zero as a trusted protégé. Meanwhile, the upscale guests are involved in an art theft and a dispute over a vast family fortune.

I’m about to admit something that, as a lover of movies, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be ashamed to admit. Ready?

I am not a fan of Wes Anderson.

Feels good putting that out there. Why does it feel shameful at the same time? Because I’ve known a lot of people in my life who absolutely love Anderson’s movies. Like… all of them.

Maybe not a lot of people in my life. But several whose opinions on film I really respect. Granted, I haven’t seen everything that Wes Anderson has put out there. Obviously, or this movie wouldn’t be on this list. But the few I’ve seen… I just… I don’t get it.

I’ve seen The Royal Tenenbaums and… meh… And then I feel bad for not liking his movies because then I start questioning my own taste, you know? Like… if I’m not getting the humor in Wes Anderson’s movies, is it because I lack a certain level of intelligence or sophistication? I could be wrong, but I kind of feel like the people who find these movies funny are the ones who laugh at the cartoons in The New Yorker magazine. I feel like I should pretend to think these movies are hilarious just so people don’t look down on me.

Are you looking down on me? I know… I haven’t even gotten into this movie yet.

Yeah, yeah… I’m supposed to be all impressed by how symmetrical all the shots are, right? And there’s always a star-studded cast.

Ralph Fiennes is Gustave, who is accused of murdering a wealthy old woman who left him a priceless painting in her will. He is the concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, where he has taken Zero, a lobby boy, under his wing. Together, they liberated the painting that is rightfully Gustave’s from the estate before the old woman’s family could do anything with it.

There’s more… I’m just having a hard time caring.

I’m sorry… Look, I know I should like this movie, but I don’t. I know I should probably consider Wes Anderson a brilliant director, but I don’t. I don’t know why I’m unimpressed by his films. That’s just the way it is. I can’t explain it. It does not sadden me to say that this is the only Wes Anderson film on this particular list. At least I’m pretty sure it is… I just looked back through the 100 and don’t see any of his other titles.

If you happen to be someone who adores Wes Anderson and everything he touches, I apologize if I have caused any offense.

Now that I have seen The Grand Budapest Hotel, it ranks at 2,188 out of 2,266 movies on my Flickchart.

Have you seen The Grand Budapest Hotel? Do you hold the work of Wes Anderson in higher esteem than I? Let me know what you think down in the comments!