Again, it links directly back to our theme of dislocation. It surrounds the three Whitman brothers. Francis, Peter, and Jack, who are estranged from their mother who had become a nun, with their own strained relationship from each other that they must deal with as they go on the search for her. Throughout the film, we see elements of lack of trust between that family, from as big as deceiving one another to their own extent & reasons to simply just not wanting to talk about their problems with one another. Hilariously and articulately done, The Darjeeling Limited reels you in with laughs, tugs on your heart strings just a touch, and leaves you feeling a bit more hopeful towards the world through both story and Anderson's use of colour that really stands out. Stunningly beautiful.
I love these types of films; stock full of meaningful symbolism to really break down. It doesn't completely treat the audience as a pack of numbnuts, but instead allows your mind to wander to an extent, so see the subconscious clues in the surroundings, be it to do with colour or the metaphorical train journey that the characters embark on, hinting that there is a lot more going on in the characters' minds.
Firstly, I admire the use of vibrant, pop art like colour that Wes Anderson features in his films. It's not quite real life, but it intends to highlight real issues that goes on with us. Most prominent are the colours yellow and blue on the train to and from the brothers' destination respectively. Yellow, an Eastern colour of optimism, wealth, and reason (the film is set in India) is a tip of the hat to the well off passengers of The Darjeeling Limited, and a sign of hopefulness in regards to the journey of the brothers. However, in Western culture, yellow is often a signifier of envy and betrayal, highlighting the brothers' broken relationship with one another. This juxtaposition really gets your gears going, trying to figure out what's going on in the minds of the Whitman boys; Francis, the eldest of the three, indicating that their journey is to be one of self-discovery after his near death experience, which is later revealed to be a failed suicide attempt. He comes off as the in control brother - or, at least, wants to be seen as such - yet is so broken on the inside, he felt the need to end his life.
Blue, on the other hand, is a universal colour of clear skies, harmony, and faithfulness, which is a primary part of the colour scheme of the train on the way back. There is no juxtaposition of two potential meanings; everything is as clear as the blue sky with faithfulness restored between the brothers. There is a new harmony within them.
Again with the colour yellow, it is continuously presented in Anderson's films; evident in the short Hotel Chevaleir, the parent of the feature The Darjeeling Limited; also with many other themes and references revisited and repeated. For example, the story of the youngest Whitman brother, Jack, which stuck out to me the most. We learn that he is a victim of love, especially clear having watched the short prior to the feature. The delicacy and consideration that he treats Rita with, the train stewardess that he had a fling with, a repetition of the Peter Sarsdedt song Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) while he sits with her, waiting on her outside the WC and insisting on a first name basis with one another, despite Rita's reactions implying that she sees it as nothing more than a fling. His short story that he keeps reading out to his brothers, up until the end of the film where he insists that the characters are completely fictional, features elements from his life that have impacted on him greatly. The cold reactions that he gave his ex-girlfriend in particular, a small indication that he is beginning to move on.
The characters went on a journey of recovering their trust for one another; allowing their relationship to grow and heal. It was a bumpy journey no doubt, but they made it in the end, becoming stronger, able to gradually and comfortably open up with one another. We see it visually as well, the dislocated fraternal relationship having calmed on their way home. Beautifully symbolic, it's a touching film that reels you in with laughs, ensuring your comfort before it lays upon you a very real communication issue for you to think about for yourself.
Loved every minute of it.
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