Hotel Mumbai

For the true accounts of exactly what happened at Hotel Mumbai (and around the city) during the terrorist attacks, watch any one of the many documentaries available. This is just a fantasy version trying to mix "Die Hard" with "hotel Rwanda". It's bad. Of course, because it was marketed to American audiences they had to have an American protagonist who has to show an act of bravery...but not enough to actually result in anything, since that would prompt people to look him up and realize there were no Americans killed during the Hotel siege. And there has to be a "western" muslim to balance out the terrorists to show "see? They're not ALL like that!" And while this character was portrayed as a hot, rich Persian chick, the reality is she was a dumpy, old turk (and her husband); both atheists/secular who quickly pretended to be muslim (the woman put her sash around her head) to show the terrorists "look! don't kill us! We're one of you!!!!" and subsequently lived.

Yes, gang, the reality is far more horrible and there really were very few heroes or likeable characters at all...save the waiter and head chef portrayed who really did help many to safety. If you have nothing else to do (i.e. are on an airplane) then fine, watch it (that's how I saw it). But don't expect much.

There is no heroes, every guest and staff is just a victim, and I like the way the director tell the story.

This movie is difficult to watch because of some of the terrible things that happen in the story but I can recommend it because the performances were strong and the pacing/storytelling captured the tension throughout. You will come out a little different after seeing this film. 👍

This movie is brutal, let me just say it on the outset. Based on the real life Mumbai terrorist attack which happened on 26 Nov 2008, this is also a very claustrophobic undertaking, because you are trapped in small confined areas when seeing the characters just trying to survive the horror of a terrorist attack, just takes a lot out of you. For almost 2.5 hours, the movie amps the stress level one notch at a time, maintaining a nerve breaking cat-and-mouse type of tension when the movie's myriad of characters attempt escape their situation by hiding in closets, kitchens, club rooms and bathrooms. You will be straining at every scene.

It's never an easy task making a feature film of an horrific real life event, here in Hotel Mumbai the dramatization of the 2008 terror attacks that shook the country of millions and the world, but Australian director Anthony Maras manages the tricky balance of making a film that educates viewers about this terrible occurrence, while also shining a light on the many heroic actions that brought out the best of humanity in an otherwise dark and evil time.

Instead of trying to encapsulate all of the terror that took place in Mumbai during these events, Maras instead focuses mostly on the horror that unfolded in the renowned and upmarket Taj Hotel, filled with guests and staff from all over the world, who were facing a battle for their lives for a number of hours as gun toting and grenade wielding extremists infiltrated their grounds and acted out a bloodthirsty and cowardly planned attack on the facility.

By doing this Maras is able to build up a number of different characters we begin very early on to care for, from Dev Patel's kindly staff member Arjun, Anupam Kher's head chef Oberoi, Nazanin Boniadi's and Armie Hammer's newly married couple Zahra and David and Tilda Cobham-Hervey's nanny Sally, all of whom are based on real life victims of the attacks or a combination of real people that found themselves in the hotel on that fateful day.

In doing so Hotel Mumbai finds an almost constant feeling of tension and unease as these people we've got to know find themselves face to face with the very worst kind of religious violence, mindless and unwavering in its blood-lust and Maras handles the expansive cast and more close quarters confinement of the horrific attack with aplomb as he covers all bases of the incident.

Wisely for the film we also get to spend time with the man behind the murderous plight, while they are showcased as what could be perceived to be the generic version of a Muslim terrorist, its unfortunately just how it was as these brainwashed men (or really teenagers) believed they were more than justified and within their rights to enter into the sacred grounds of Indian soil to unleash their hell on earth for its unsuspecting citizens.

There are moments in Hotel Mumbai that feel a little forced and out of place, moments of dialogue that are a little heavy handed or character actions that scream big screen box ticking (people moving out of hiding spots for no good reason or unbelievable shootouts) but overall much of Hotel Mumbai provides a hold your breath like insight into a terrible day in Indian and world history and a reminder to us all of the often amazing human bravery that shines forth in such dark moments.

Final Say -

A confronting and unwavering feature length look at one of India's darkest days, Hotel Mumbai is an impressive Australian backed production that acts as a taut and tense thriller and an insightful exploration of a true life terror.

3 ½ pairs of work shoes out of 5