The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Three rich brothers board a train across India to find themselves, and mostly what they find is their luggage. That’s the trouble: a whole country rolls past the windows, and the movie only has eyes for three guys in matching suits. Rita, the train stewardess, gets a few scenes and no inner life. Still, the brothers are a riot. Owen Wilson’s Francis, wrapped in bandages and handing out laminated itineraries, is a control freak with a soft heart. Adrien Brody’s Peter keeps wearing their late dad’s glasses like they might explain something. Jason Schwartzman’s Jack writes short stories he swears are fiction, and they very much are not. Then they stumble into a sudden tragedy by a river, and the movie goes quiet and real, with Irrfan Khan bringing enormous grace to a small role. It made $35.1 million worldwide on a reported $17.5M. A 6.8 because the brothers are funny and sad and the setting is just wallpaper. $91.53 says you laminate a schedule for your next family trip and nobody reads past the first line.

What works: The three brothers bicker like real siblings, and the village sequence gives the film a sudden, moving weight, with Irrfan Khan quietly excellent.

What doesn’t: India is mostly scenery for three privileged guys’ problems, and the local characters, Rita included, barely get a point of view.

Who it’s for: Wes Anderson fans and anyone who has survived a family vacation with siblings who still owe each other apologies.