Starring: Max Beesley, Saffron Burrows, Rhys Ifans, Salma Hayek, Fabrizio Bentivoglio Directed By: Mike Figgis Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Innovation Film Group (IFG) Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: July 26, 2005 Running Time: 111 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 2001
Product Description: Oscar® nominee* Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas) delivers a deliciously disturbing erotically charged thriller fueled by standout performances from his all-star cast: Saffron Burrows Salma Hayek Rhys Ifans Lucy Liu Burt Reynolds and David Schwimmer!A slick Hollywood film crew has just descended upon a mysterious crumbling Venetian hotel to create a cinematic masterpiece. But unbeknownst to them there are malevolent forces at work in the hotel and soon the production is beset by a series of strange incidents dragging the guests on a terrifying journey into the dark catacombs of desire madness and death!*1995: Director and Adapted Screenplay Leaving Las VegasEpisodes-Bonus Features:Making-of DocumentaryWeb ShortsPhoto GalleryOriginal Theatrical TrailerWidescreen (1.85)English (5.1 Surround)Subtitles: English French SpanishFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 027616905253 Manufacturer No: M101738
Hotel We cannot get into watching this movie. it is to convoluted to keep up with. Should have a negative rating system for this one.
It's the producer's fault heh...the words on the jacket: "a deliciously disturbing and erotically charged thriller"... are rather shameless hyperbole.
Instead, this film is remarkable for one thing alone: how the director squanders acting talent and beauty (Salma Hayek, Chiara Mastroianni, Ornella Muti, Lucy Liu!), financial resources, and the luminous backdrop of Venice to produce a film that is not even a flop but rather resembles an uncut first year film student's independent project... a very average project, that is.
The words that come to mind are 'breathless', 'pretentious' and 'incompetent'. Generally, the designation "art film" means that the director is unable to focus or use a script and needs to resort to gimmickry. this certainly is true for the Hotel. The 'macabre' we see is simply an excuse for Figgis' lack of imagination; the exquisite Dutchess of Malfi text is abused rather than used. The two good scenes (with John Malkovich, in the beginning; the flamenco scene in the middle) are never developed.
My basic issue with the film is that it is basically soul-less.
This is not due to Figgis' incompetence alone. The film should never have been produced.
Come to think of it, The Hotel should be required viewing for film students, a lesson in how great actors and a lot of money are not enough to make a good flick. There is something else.
A tone poem called Hotel This movie is simply one of the best films I've ever seen in my life. Yes, it is unconventional but not in some far out, puzzling way like Peter Greenaway's films. Every moment made perfect sense. It is incredibly erotic, funny, and fascinating. It moves like a poem, and I found myself rewinding several times just to watch a scene again and catch the phrasing. This is not Legally Blonde. Your brain will be engaged. Highlights are Salma Hayek's adorably bad singing, Rhys iffans acting like the director from hell, and the absolutely luminous acting of Saffron Burrow's who in my opinion is one of the finest and most underated actresses working today. If you are ever looking for a good film, just look at her filmography -- she has chosen very excellent and difficult films.
Not an Easily Digestible Film, but worth the effort. I saw this film in the theater when it came out. When the DVD came out I was one of the first to get a copy. It's not an easy film to grasp, being a DOGMA type of film, but try watching it with the subtitles on soo that you catch all the dialogue, and then it will make more sense to you. I give it 5 stars.
Think WAY outside the box for this one If you're an indie fan or like to explore uncharted cinematic territory, you will be entertained, puzzled and pensive during this film. With this movie, it's not the dialogue, the plot or any other typical production necessaries that pull the viewer into the chaos. Oddly placed comic moments, strange and intriguing situations, erotic overtones, bold subject presentation, and random progression held my attention. Not for the masses, Hotel provides a very unconventional ride. I know NO other film with which to compare this flick. Worth the watch. Just don't go in with expectations. It's weird, but has a pleasantly sinful aftertaste. (The meal at the very beginning with John Malcovich is priceless.)
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