The Grand Budapest Hotel (trailer and other stuff here)—sold out in the local movie house playing it on two screeens—is an enjoyable romp through the Central European country of Zubrowka, obscure even by fictional standards in the early 1930’s, as an unnamed brutal regime is taking increasing power. It’s best not to fixate on Wes Anderson’s tissue-paper plot and instead enjoy the numerous cameo roles. I have to believe that working on Anderson’s movies is fun; otherwise so many notable actors wouldn’t agree to do it!

Anderson didn’t break the budget on a lot of CGI to achieve verisimilitude—the imaginary vistas fit right into this fable about a generous spirit with impeccable standards. It’s great to see Ralph Fiennes, one of my faves, in an upbeat role for a change as the hotel’s concierge, Gustave H.  The fascist peril is real, nonetheless, and marks the certain end of the world the concierge is trying to desperately to protect.

If you need a break from late winter’s interminable gloom, this movie is a lively breath of spring. Rotten Tomatoes rating: critics and audiences agree (for once): 91%. Says critic Rene Rodriguez, “the pleasure curls your toes.”

The movie is based on the several writings by Austrian novelist, biographer, and playwright Stefan Zweig, a Jew who in real life fled his country upon the rise of Hitler—first to London, then New York, and Brazil.