This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Since most people are only familiar with a limited number of Anderson's films, I will start by pointing out that this is not the quirky whimsical reverie that one sees in his better-known works. Here the film maker seems to take a turn towards more mature themes. The approach is still W.A. in that there are many of the elements from his previous cinematic sojourns: unwarranted humor, odd dialogue and silences, spatial unreliability, unexpected confessions...the visuals are also as spectacular as everywhere else on Wes' outings. Speaking of which, the fact that this is the only document which contains a much closer inspection of Natalie Portman's natural beauty makes this in and of itself a mouthwatering treasure of a film. I give this film an 8 (not a 10) only because it doesn't actually show all of Natalie at her peak, but what it does show is more than worth the 12+ minutes of your earthly time. We need that blooper reel, homes.

This film is about the relationship between two characters in a hotel room.As a standalone film, I am not sure "Hotel Chevalier" works. Is the plot the only excuse to get Natalie Portman completely naked? And is there really a plot? It seems to be trying to say something between the two characters, but I don't know what. Maybe ambivalence? Or Natalie Portman's character is trying to shut Jason Schwartzman off? I am not so sure. After watching the short film I am very confused about everything.The hotel room is very nice, the sets are well decorated, and the scenes are thoughtfully composed. However, these are not enough to make a film watchable.I am sure it will make more sense after watching The Darjeeling Limited. So why make this as a standalone film, and not integrate it into the main film?

Hokay... if you've gone to the theatre to see Darjeeling Limited lately, it is preceded by this short film prologue to the feature presentation. Though shot before The Darjeeling Limited, apparently the idea behind it is to create a better understanding of Natalie Portman's character's relationship to Jason Schwartzman's character. This is unnecessary. In fact, as short films go, this one does not make it high on my list of favorites, just to be polite.It does have its moments and it successfully stands alone. That's what's important. That's why this short gets as many stars as it has in my rating. In fact, for Anderson enthusiasts, this short film is most interesting because it shows his approach to style as it would be confined to a single hotel room. It also has a nude Natalie Portman, which is in fact something to consider.However... whatever. The Darjeeling Limited itself doesn't need this, and this short is more curious than it is revelation-creating. I honestly don't understand why it's necessary or why Anderson didn't just go ahead and find a way to expand upon it a little in a non-Darjeeling way to make it a bit stronger by itself.So, in conclusion, show up late to The Darjeeling Limited. You're not missing anything.--PolarisDiB

This short film "prologue" for The Darjeeling Limited certainly works as an alternative to ordinary previews for giddy fans anticipating the movie that is to follow (heck its like it's own dorkier, elitist version of the whole Grindhouse shenanigans), but other then that gimmick itself, offers little else. For a thirteen minute film detailing one last heated meeting and greeting of the exes, our two leads display an absolutely unconvincing level of chemistry. Besides the occasional impressively framed shot or seldom gracious tracking technique, Hotel Chevalier is a pretentious appetizer for a meal we might not even want to eat. The performances, pacing, and plot all verge on annoyingly artsy in that laughable, self-conscious, almost mocking sort of way, rendering this strange, superficial little piece simply "the movie where you see Natalie Portman's butt".