MovieChat Forums > The Darjeeling Limited (2007) Discussion > Do I watch Hotel Chevalier first?

Do I watch Hotel Chevalier first?

posted 15 years ago by NeonCRowEyEs
9 replies | jump to latest

I just bought The Darjeeling Limited yesterday and I haven't seen it before. I'm curious to know whether I watch The Darjeeling Limited or Hotel Chevalier first, or does that no even matter?

[–] aliceboy 15 years ago

It really doesn't matter, though it's a little more fun to watch it after, I think. Watching Chevalier first just puts you right up to speed, whereas after fills in blanks that are given through the course of the film. Honestly, you never really HAVE to watch it...unless you really dig on Portman, that is.

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'Destiny is a fickle bitch.'
-Benjamin Linus

[–] NeonCRowEyEs 15 years ago

Thanks. I heard that Hotel Chavelier was called part 1 of The Darjeeling Limited but as I read fans' comments on TDJ's thread boards, it contradicted that, but I'll take your word for it.

THIS IS NOT AN EXIT

[–] aliceboy 15 years ago

If you choose the 'watch Chevalier first' option, the short and feature come on as Part 1 and Part 2 respectively, but like I said...
That said, I will add it felt like he'd actually intended to do it as more Parts, but then didn't for whatever reason. If only there was a commentary so we could all have answers to these burning questions!

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'Destiny is a fickle bitch.'
-Benjamin Linus

[–] gasteropod 15 years ago

When I saw it at the cinema, Hotel Chevalier preceded it, and I'd say that's the best way to watch them.

[–] aliceboy 15 years ago

I guess that's the difference in opinion: how you saw it determines how you think it should be seen. I saw Chevalier free through iTunes quite a while before I saw the movie (I bought the DVD unseen, because I knew I'd love it), then didn't watch it again before watching Darjeeling. I'd forgotten the former by then, and it didn't detract from my viewing the latter. Like I said, it just fills in the blank.
Of course, this is just a discussion at this point, as I'm sure the OP has long since watched both! :P

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'Destiny is a fickle bitch.'
-Benjamin Linus

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nathy85 15 years ago

watch it, because there is a tiny part on the Darjeeling express train where you recognise a certain character (I won't spoil it) and you realise how clever and subtle Wes Anderson can be.

[–] liplip 12 years ago

Watched the "Hotel" shorty only afterward, this lead to me beeing really baffled by the two second cameo of Natalie Portman during the main movie. :D

[–] TwoThousandOneMark 11 years ago

It's not required, although it does give one of the leads a face to their life back home.

Also- there's a great payoff that makes me laugh every time Jack's iPod, he plays the same song on the train for Rita/Sweet Lime as for his g/f in Paris.

I know that may not be a comedic turn, yet I can't help but laugh each time.