Wes Anderson’s magnum opus,The Grand Budapest Hotel, is a meticulously crafted caper with vibrant visuals, a brilliantly written script, and an ensemble cast of charming and eccentric characters.Ralph Fiennesstars asMonsieur Gustave H., the prominent concierge of the eponymous mountainside resort, situated in the fictional European town of Zubrowka. When he’s framed for the murder of a wealthy resident of the hotel, he and his protégé bellhop, Zero (Tony RevoloriandF. Murray Abraham), a newly hired bellhop, go on a wild journey to clear his name and retrieve a priceless in the middle of a European backdrop on the precipice of war.
The Grand Budapest Hotelis a beautifully shot film that features an excellent screenplay from Anderson and his longtime collaboratorHugo Guinness, which was inspired by their travels in Europe as well as the literature ofStefan Zweig, but what truly anchors this incredible film is its cast of unforgettable characters. WithAnderson’s latest film set to premiere in June, it’s an excellent time to revisit what’s often considered his best work. From the charming ladykiller Gustave, to the comically menacing hitman, J. G. Jopling (Willem Dafoe), this list ranks and celebrates the best characters ofThe Grand Budapest Hotel.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Played by Harvey Keitel
When Gustave is wrongfully imprisoned, he forms alliances with the other inmates through the sharing of delicious food and pastries from Mendel’s. After winning the hearts of the other inmates, he’s introduced to prison gang leader, Ludwig (Harvey Keitel). Now accepted by the inmates,Ludwig shares his escape plan with Gustave.
Keitel is perfectly cast in this role due to his tough-guy look and demeanor.
Ludwig is an essential character in the film because it’s thanks to him that Gustaveis able to break out of the prison. Keitel is perfectly cast in this role due to his tough-guy look and demeanor. His alliance with Gustave is critical to the events ofThe Grand Budapest Hotel.
9The Young Author
Played by Jude Law
Jude Lawplays the Young Author in Anderson’sGrand Budapest Hotel,not as one of the main characters in the story of the hotel itself, but rather as a listener and observer of Zero, the true narrator of the story. Although he doesn’t take on a direct role in the events that occur at the hotel, he’s one of the most important characters in the film because he’s the one who gets Zero to tell his story.
…He’s a suave and curious character who carries himself with a charming nonchalance.
Law is brilliantly cast in this role; he’s a suave and curious character who carries himself with a charming nonchalance. His discussion with M. Jean (Jason Schwartzman) and narration leading up to the moment he meets and talks with Zero is an essential part of the story asit lets viewers know a little about Zero’s backstory and sets up the action of the rest of the film.
8Madame D.
Played by Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swintonis only in the film for a few minutes as the wealthy Madame D., butit’s her death which puts the story in motion and lands Gustave in prison. Madame D. is one of Gustave’s many lovers and, after she dies, she bequeaths him the prized painting,Boy with Apple. Her hateful son Dmitri (Adrien Brody) frames Gustave for murder. A second will left just in case she were to be murdered is what ultimately vindicates Gustave.
Madame D. is one of Gustave’s many lovers…
Despite appearing for such a short time in the film, Swinton,who’s no stranger to starring in top-tier cinema, totally kills it in this role. She’s unrecognizable as the old affluent Madame D.Her desperate plea to convince Gustave to come away with her is hilarious. And her reaction to his repulsion at her nail polish is one of the funniest moments in the film.
7Deputy Vilmos Kovacs
Played by Jeff Goldblum
Deputy Kovacs (Jeff Goldblum) is Madame D’s lawyer, and his primary interest is seeking justice for her. After she’s murdered,he’s the one who announces that she left her prized painting,Boy with Apple, to Gustave. Upon further examination, he finds that there’s a missing document linked to Madame D.’s and the inheritance, i.e. the missing will.
…Goldblum imbues Deputy Kovacs with all the eccentric charm that audiences have come to know him for.
In one of his best film appearances, Goldblum imbues Deputy Kovacs with all the eccentric charm that audiences have come to know him for. He’s a character with a physicality that’smarked by precision and deliberation, qualities that are reflected in his commitment to his profession as a lawyer and executor to Madame D.’s estate. Despite being bullied by Dmitri, he stands his ground and shows him that he can’t be swayed, making him one of the most admirable characters.
6Albert Henckels
Played by Edward Norton
Albert Henckels (Edward Norton) isthe police inspector who initially saves Gustave and Zero from some unwarranted harassment by other police. When he was a boy, Gustave showed him immense kindness, something that he never forgot. Now a police inspector, Henckels is a devoted lawman who has to walk the tightrope between personal loyalty and institutional duty.
…Henckels is a devoted lawman who has to walk the tightrope between personal loyalty and institutional duty.
Although Henckels apprehends Gustave and continually tries to imprison him, it’s only because he’s doing his job, andhis boyish charm and “awe-shucks” demeanor make him one of the most likable characters inThe Grand Budapest Hotel. Inone of his best roles to date, Norton gives a warm and likable performance as a character that could’ve easily been forgettable.
5J. G. Jopling
Played by Willem Dafoe
Dimitri’s cold-blooded assassin is none other than J. G. Jopling,a frightening character of an intimidating disposition. He’s played by the mesmerizingDafoe, who manages to never deliver a boring role. When Dmitri gets the sense that Deputy Kovacz might ruin his plot, he sends Jopling to dispose of both him and Serge.
He’s played by the mesmerizingDafoe, who manages to never deliver a boring role.
Dafoe is predictably amazing in his role as Jopling due to his naturaltalent for playing mentally deranged characters. While J.G. Jopling isn’t maniacal in the theatrical kind of way that we’re used to seeing from Dafoe, he has a cold menacing air to him that Dafoe is able to perfectly deliver. Jopling is the perfect supporting villain to Brody’s explosive Dmitri.
Played by Saoirse Ronan
Agatha (Saoirse Ronan) is an apprentice baker atThe Grand Budapest Hoteland Zero’s love interest. She’s a crucial player in the story because she uses her baking skills to hide the tools Gustave and the other inmates used to break out of prison.Agatha’s bravery, baking skills, and relationship with Zeroare an integral part of the film.
Agatha radiates a warm kindness that makes it easy for audiences to understand why Zero falls for her.
Ronan does a phenomenal job inone of her most rewatchable roles. Agatha radiates a warm kindness that makes it easy for audiences to understand why Zero falls for her. Although she comes off as incredibly sweet and kind,these qualities conceal her bravery and shrewdness. While the hotel is teeming with fascists, she even goes in to try and retrieveBoy with Apple. As such, she’s one of the most heroic characters.
Played by Adrien Brody
Dmitri is the film’s primary antagonist.HehatesGustave with a burning passionand is immensely jealous that his mother left himBoy with Apple. He spends the entire film framing Gustave and then trying to have everyone who could foil his plot murdered. Although he’s a vile and detestable character, Dmitri is incredibly funny.
Although he’s a vile and detestable character, Dmitri is incredibly funny.
Dmitri’s fuming for the entirety of the film, in contrast to his calm and collected sidekick J. G. Jopling. Dmitri hasthe energy of a bitter and indignant chihuahuawho spent their entire life being wronged by others. This is naturally hilarious to watch and makes his character one of the most compelling, despite how awful he is. Brody, as usual, gives a stellar performance asone of Anderson’s best collaborators.
Played by F. Murray Abraham and Tony Revolori
Zero is Gustave’s loyal bellhop and protégé, as well as the primary narrator and heart ofThe Grand Budapest Hotel.In his youth he was the wide-eyed newly hired lobby boy who helped save Gustave alongside his lover Agatha, and throughout his journey he proved both his fierce loyalty, and his enormous courage. He’s a lovable character and the story’s surprising hero. In his old age there’s a searing poignancy to his character.
Zero’s role inThe Grand Budapest Hotelis impossible to overstate.He represents the emotional backbone and the quiet nobility of the film, and his reserved and observant demeanor is a perfect contrast to Gustave’s attention-grabbing flamboyance. Despite appearing reserved and timid, the young Zero is driven by an admirable courage that sets him apart from the other characters of the film, and his transformation from a quiet and bashful bellhop into the sorrowful owner of the film captures its central themes, including the passage of time, nostalgia, memory and loss.
1Gustave H.
Played by Ralph Fiennes
Gustave H. is the charming and flamboyant womanizing conciergeofThe Grand Budapest Hotel, and in a film brimming with brightly colorful characters his light shines the brightest. He’s a quick-witted character with undeniable charisma who steals every scene he’s in. Without Gustave, there could be noGrand Budapest Hotel.
Gustave’s a character that does everything with grace, whether it’s seducing women, running away from the cops, or cursing in a fit of frustration.
Fiennes gives one of his greatest performancesas the dynamic and elegant Gustave. He embodies the spirit of old-world elegance; he’s refined, articulate and has an indefatigable devotion to civility. Gustave’s a character that does everything with grace, whether it’s seducing women, running away from the cops, or cursing in a fit of frustration. Despite his flamboyance and superficiality,Gustave’s also a man of unwavering honor and loyaltywho believes in standing up for what’s right, even if it costs him his life. This makes him the star ofThe Grand Budapest Hoteland its best character.
