This version of India felt as real as the interior of a Tandoori Restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard. And why were they wearing suits? Is that a gag? Only an insane tourist would travel around India in a suit.
shareBecause they want to look good.
Straightedge means I'm better than you.
If I recall correctly, Anderson noted that he hadn't gone to India and the movie wasn't supposed to be realistic to actual setting...it was a more romanticized and fantastic portrayal of the country.
I mean come on, even the name of the movie/train doesn't make sense....they're riding practically on the other side of the country from Darjeeling.
But it's ok. If you just let it go, the movie is pretty fun.
During one stage of the writing process all three writers went on a train around India and apparently a lot of the people and places they went to ended up in the film.
shareThey are insane tourists.
They're three rich kids from a privileged background, they aren't as practical as your average traveler.
I thought the suit thing was a nice throwback to older films where all the blokes wear suits all the time unless they are swimming or 'on the job'.
The movie had an almost timeless feel to it, like it could have been set anytime in the last 70 years, with the exception of the scene with the laptop. If that scene was cut then....
I have never been to India so I can't comment on the authenticity of the movie.