I literally waited years to see The Million Dollar Hotel. Somewhere back in the mid-nineties I read that U2's Bono had penned a screenplay set in a rundown L.A. hotel that he had visited while on tour. Naturally I was eager to see what form a movie written by Bono might take, and when I heard that the film was to be directed by German film guru Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas, Faraway, So Close! , Buena Vista Social Club etc) my excitement grew. Due to the decidedly non-Hollywood nature of the film, it took a long time for Mel Gibson's production company, Icon, to release the film in the U.S. The fantastic soundtrack album was released about a year ago, and the film was being shown in Australian and European cinemas at least six months ago. I waited and waited for the film to come to theaters here, and then suddenly it showed up on video.

Fellow epinionator Poseidon panned this film due to it's slow-pace and dark lighting. He stated in his review that he prefers fast-paced Hollywood movies with big-name actors and great special effects. That's all good and well, and it's his prerogative to choose to watch those kinds of films. However, just because a film doesn't fit into the mainstream doesn't mean it's not good, in fact, the opposite is often true.

The basic plot of The Million Dollar Hotel is quite simple. Izzy Goldkiss (Tim Roth), the son of a billionaire media-mogul, has met an untimely death after plummeting to the pavement from the roof of the Million Dollar Hotel. The elder Goldkiss refuses to believe that his son could have committed suicide and uses his influence to get FBI Special Agent Skinner (Mel Gibson) on the case. Skinner is determined to pin the “murder” on one of the residents of the Million Dollar Hotel. The residents, however, aren’t your average suspects – they are all freaks and outcasts from society, most suffering from various mental disorders. They have banded together in the decrepit Million Dollar Hotel because they have nowhere else to go.

The Million Dollar Hotel is not a plot-driven movie. Viewers who watch the movie for the purpose of finding out “whodunit” are missing the point entirely. The movie is above all about the inhabitants of the hotel and the ways in which they interact with each other. The main character, Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies) is a mentally challenged twentysomething who claims that the late Izzy Goldkiss was his best friend. Tom Tom is obsessed with Eloise (Milla Jovovich), an elusive book-loving waif, but is unable to approach her until Izzy’s death brings them together. Geronimo (Jimmy Smits) believes that he was once a great Indian chief, and spends his time creating paintings out of tar. Dixie (Peter Stormare) believes that he was the fifth member of The Beatles, and that he has unjustly been cheated out of royalties and fame. He has not left the hotel since the day Lennon died.

In addition to being a movie about characters rather than plot, The Million Dollar Hotel is an extremely atmospheric piece of filmmaking. The soundtrack and the cinematography combine wonderfully to create a dark, blue underworld where time seems to move at a different place and light never fully penetrates. The opening scene of the movie is one of the most remarkable I have seen for a long time. A helicopter-mounted camera slowly circles the skyscrapers of downtown L.A. at dusk before focusing on the Million Dollar Hotel, where Tom Tom is standing on the roof. In slow motion, Tom Tom runs across the roof and throws himself off in an arcing swan dive, to the tune of U2’s The First Time. It is absolutely beautiful.

Throughout the film, the soundtrack (composed and performed by U2, John Hassel, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and the Million Dollar Hotel Band) is used to stunning effect. U2’s songs Stateless and The First Time, and Bono and Daniel Lanois’ Falling At Your Feet, are used particularly well. I have been familiar with the songs for some time now, but in the context of the film they took on new meaning, as well as adding meaning to the film. The soundtrack and the film go together like the proverbial hand and glove.

If I were a film student I could rave on and on about Wender’s direction and cinematography. Each shot is meticulously composed. At times I felt like I was looking at a painting rather than a moving picture, such is the artistry of the composition. Each of the actors and actresses delivered fine performances. I was particularly impressed with Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich, and Peter Stormare. Mel Gibson seemed out of place in the film. There are a remarkable number of quality actors in the film. British actors Tim Roth and Julian Sands both make brief appearances, and even Bono makes a brief cameo.

I give my highest recommendation to The Million Dollar Hotel. Viewers with patience and an appreciation for beautiful images and music will mind much to enjoy and admire in this wonderful work of art. If your idea of a good movie is Lethal Weapon or The Patriot you had better give this a miss.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older