Wes Anderson is one of the most beloved filmmakers working in Hollywood and many consider his best film to date to be The Grand Budapest Hotel. This epic period comedy tells the story of Zero, a young lobby boy working at the titular hotel under the eccentric and lovable head concierge M. Gustave. Together, the two find themselves mixed up in a deadly conspiracy.

The film has all of Anderson’s typical quirks and trademarks while telling one of his most exciting stories. It is also filled with great dialogue that can be hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time.

10 “She Needs Me, And I Need You, To Help Me With My Bags And So On.”

The adventure kicks off when Gustave receives word that one of the regular visitors to his hotel, Madame D., has died. Seeing as Gustave was so close with her, he immediately insists that he and Zero go to pay their respects. Of course, he just needs Zero there to carry his bags.

Thus begins the friendship between Gustave and Zero, which is a very charming one. And it is fitting that Gustave would seem so genuine in insisting he needs Zero but at the same time remain truthful about why he needs him.

9 “Indeed, That’s What We Provide In Our Own Modest, Humble, Insignificant… Oh F**k It.”

Part of the charm of Gustave is that he takes tremendous pride in his work. This is one of the ways he bonds with Zero as he seeks to teach the young man as much as he can about why their work at the hotel is so important.

After meeting an old hotel guest who fondly remembers Gustave, he and Zero are able to escape some trouble. Gustave begins a passionate and eloquent speech about what it is they provide in their services before deciding the moment has passed and ending by saying, “Oh f**k it.”

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 “I’ve Had Older.”

Work is not the only thing Gustave is passionate about. He is a lover in every sense of the word and has no shame in his somewhat unconventional choices in partners.

See also  10 Non-Studio Ghibli Movies To Watch If You Love Their Films

When making their way to Madame D., Gustave tells Zero about their relationship and even admits she was great in bed. Zero is quite taken aback by this considering she was 84, but Gustave shrugs this off by saying that he’s been with women older than that.

7 “I Don’t Know What Sort Of Cream They’ve Put On You Down At The Morgue, But I Want Some.”

Gustave is such an unusual character and Ralph Fiennes plays him so wonderfully that it’s a joy just to hear him talking about absolutely nothing. When he and Zero finally make it to Madame D.’s funeral, Gustave pays his respects in a way that only he could.

Instead of grieving at the sight of his friend’s body, he talks to her like they are just catching up. He goes to great length in complimenting her appearance despite the fact that she is dead, and even wishes he could get the same care she does.

6 “She’s Been Murdered, And You Think I Did It.”

The death of Madame D. does not sit right with Gustave, especially since she had previously confined her fear of her greedy son, Dmitri. Sure enough, it is eventually revealed that Madame D. was poisoned, but when Gustave is left a priceless painting in her will, he becomes the prime suspect.

As soon as the police arrive at the hotel, he knows why they are there. And despite his refined nature, he immediately turns and makes a run for it in a hilarious moment.

5 “What Happened, My Dear Zero, Is I Beat The Living S**t Out Of A Sniveling Little Runt Called Pinky Bandinski.”

What is so funny about Gustave is that while he does have the proper gentleman persona, that doesn’t stop him from being occasionally vulgar. After Gustave is arrested for Madame D.’s death, Zero goes to visit him in prison, which seems like the last place Gustave would fit in.

See also  Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 Has One Specific Thing In Common With The Original

When Zero sees that Gustave is badly bruised, he explains that he got into a vicious fight with someone named Pinky, who questioned his manhood. In true Gustave fashion, he quickly admits Pinky has since become a dear friend.

4 “Did He Just Throw My Cat Out Of The Window?”

The Grand Budapest Hotel also features the best villains in any Wes Anderson film with Madame D.’s horrible son Dmitri and his silent but intimidating associate, Joplin. Wanting to gain control of his late mother’s fortune, Dmitri pays a visit to her lawyer, Kovacs.

Joplin calmly pets Kovacs’ cat as Kovacs explains there’s still a lot more deciphering to do of the will. Impatient, Joplin suddenly hurls the cat out the window. It’s such a sudden and shocking moment, even Kovacs doesn’t know how to react.

3 “We Were Happy Here, For A Little While.”

There is an interesting framing to the movie as it begins with a writer recounting his own visit to the titular hotel years after it had been in its prime. There he meets Zero, who is an older man, and he recounts his adventures to the writer.

When his story is done the writer wonders if Zero has held onto the hotel for so long as a way of honoring Gustave. Zero explains that the hotel is to honor his beloved wife Agatha. He says that this place gave them at least a period of happiness in the complex world.

2 “To Be Frank, I Think His World Had Vanished Long Before He Ever Entered It.”

The theme of this movie seems to be how a more refined and chivalrous time has long since passed and all that’s left to do is look back on it fondly. However, as Zero does look back, he admits that world may have only existed around Gustave.

See also  Alien vs Predator: Who Won in the Original Comic

He explains to the writer that Gustave was a man out of time and that the gentler world he belonged to was gone long before he ever arrived. It is the kind of bittersweet sentiment that Anderson nails so well.

1 “Keep Your Hands Off My Lobby Boy!”

Though their relationship starts off as employer-employee, plain and simple, the friendship and mentorship that evolves between Gustave and Zero is really the heart of the whole movie. As Zero says, they are connected by their shared vocation.

When traveling through the unnamed European country on the brink of war, they are stopped by soldiers who question Zero. Though Zero is scared into submitting to them, Gustave is not afraid to challenge the soldiers all to protect his lobby boy.

NextWhich Pixar Mom Are You, Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

About The Author


Colin McCormick
(2028 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

More From Colin McCormick