This short film here is actually closely connected to Wes Anderson's movie "Hotel Chevalier", so it is no surprise that he is also listed as writer and director for this one. I have not seen the aforementioned movie, so I will not elaborate on parallels and differences. Both protagonists, however, appear in it.I have to say, I enjoyed "Hotel Chevalier" a lot, more than I expected. I was very much underwhelmed by "The Grand Budapest Hotel" recently, but this brought me back to loving Anderson. The song is perfect (Peter Sarstedt - Where Do You Go To My Lovely) and fits the atmosphere 100%, the sets, camera shots and colors look so unique that you immediately know it is Wes Anderson and the two characters are very interesting to follow in their interactions. I especially liked how Schwartzman's character lies on the bead on his own early and later the empty spot is taken by Portman's character. Portman, occasionally, looks quite a bit like Carey Mulligan here. My favorite moment was maybe when the man unwrapped the Hotel Chevalier chocolate before unwrapping the woman. The sound was very nice as well.I would immediately watch a movie that revolves around this couple. The film had many indicators which make me think that it would be a uniquely interesting story. About this short film, highly recommended.

Wes Anderson released this short film in 2007 as a prelude to his full-length film THE DARJEELING LIMITED, which depicted three brothers trying to reknit frayed ties on a train journey through India. In this short, Jack (Jason Schwartzman), one of the brothers, has been hiding away in a Paris hotel room for months. He is suddenly visited by a former lover (Nathalie Portman), with whom he appears to have had a troubled relationship, and whom he has not seen in a long time. The rekindling of their passion is played out almost in real time in front of the camera.The short is in fact important as back story for the longer film, as Jack's relationship with this girl is alluded to, and objects from the hotel (such as a bathrobe) appear among his luggage in India. However, both the short and THE DARJEELING LIMITED suffer from the same flaw, namely that Wes Anderson had enormous eye for visual detail, but his attempt to depict a human drama comes off as cold and unmoving. Thus here one will enjoy the painstaking design of Jack's hotel room, full of all kinds of delightful bric-à-brac. However, the acting that Anderson brings out of Schwartzman and Portman is hammy and unconvincing.With that visual richness but lame human drama, I cannot really recommend this short to a general audience, but it may be worthwhile for Anderson fans who have come to like his aesthetic from another film of his.

The Darjeeling Limited is about three brothers who take a spiritual journey to India to become better brothers. Francis (Owen Wilson), spurred by his survival in a motorcycle crash, calls the journey together on the train. Peter (Adrien Brody) has left his very pregnant wife to go on this journey. He is not happy about the kid. He always figured they'd divorce. And not because he doesn't love her, he just always expected it. Jack (Jason Schwartzman) hasn't been in the United States in a long time, and has been living in hotels, trying to get over his girlfriend, or get with her, or do something in his post-break up period of life."Hotel Chevalier" is a short film (to be shown before the movie). It tells the story of Jack and his girlfriend (Natalie Portman). He had been hiding from her in a hotel in Paris, but she comes and visits him.Separating these parts into two separate ones is a brilliant decision. There is no way "Hotel Chevalier" could be put into The Darjeeling Limited, and The Darjeeling Limited can be seen without "Hotel Chevalier," but it completes it and makes it into one continuous and brilliant piece of art. Natalie Portman, like always, is spectacular alongside Jason Schwartzman.

I am afraid to see the The Darjeeling Limited. I cannot stand Owen Wilson, and now that I have seen Jason Schwartzman, and know that certain friends think he is something special, I don't know what to do. There are also those who think that you have to "get" Anderson, or you are some ignorant rube.This short film did not make me want to check out Wes Anderson's new film. I found Schwartzman to be particularly obnoxious and need to explore further before I make a commitment. I will watch Rushmore and Shopgirl, and maybe The Royal Tenenbaums this week before I commit. That ought to give me enough Swartnman and Anderson to determine whether I "get it," or am just a rube.I do, however, like the idea of shorts as a prelude instead of trailers. More should explore this.