Drawing on a
rich tradition of classical American storytelling that
runs from Mark Twain to «Shane» to «Stand By Me,» Nichols adopts a 14 - year - old
boy's perspective for this affecting tale of innocence lost and grace gained over one woozy Arkansas summer.
This 1930s segment is where we are introduced to the film's real hero, M.Gustav (Ralph Fiennes), as he romances
rich old ladies, mentors young refugee lobby
boy Zero (Tony Revolori) and
runs the Grand Budapest to a rigidly perfectionist, and already outdated, code of discretion and honor.