Hotel Mumbai: el atentado

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

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

No one should ever expect any movie about such a carnage to follow the actual events in real time. Estimates are that nearly 60 died at the train station (shown first in the movie) and more than 30 perished at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Although the train station event could have better represented in this film, the segue to the situation at the Taj was fairly seamless and leaves the viewer with little to ponder. What follows is nothing short of gripping, as ordinary people face extraordinary situations just to stay alive. The screenplay license taken by the film's makers shows in vivid (often horrendous) detail the scope of the attacks on innocent people by this group of terrorists. I don't think anyone who lived through this event can quarrel with the realism portrayed in the film, let alone the outcome. I found this movie to be fine cinema and I watched it twice before returning it to Red Box. I don't regret watching it a second time. Strongly recommended, but be prepared for a lot of blood and violence.

Hotel Mumbai is a really well made film that captures the horror and devastation of the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008. The film is relentless and doesn't hold back - at times it is difficult to watch and may be too much for some viewers - but it feels incredibly realistic and completely draws you in emotionally. There is not a dull moment and you will be holding your breathe the entire time. The cast all give great performances, especially Dev Patel as a kind hearted waiter. The characters are really well written and easy to become invested in, making it all the more devastating when something happens to them. Obviously the most devestating thing about the story is the fact that it actually happened. Stories like this show the worst in humanity, but they also show the best in humanity, and the power of the human spirit. It's a challenging watch that succeeds at gripping its audience until the very end.

Based on true events, Hotel Mumbai is not a polished Holywood flick that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, not while you're watching it and not after it's over.

The movie has a very gritty and real feel to it. The shooting is filmed in an almost first person view, with the screen shaking in all directions every time guns go off. It kind of makes you feel like you are there, right beside the shooters and helpless victims as the scenes unfold.

Hotel Mumbai does not have a central character or "hero" who saves the day. If you're expecting a shootem up action flick with a central character who kills all of the bad guys with guns blazing, do not watch this movie.

If you can stomach watching innocent people get killed in masse, along with a lot blood spweing everywhere, and you want to see what terror looks like in the first person, go watch this movie.

8.6/10 - One of the best thrillers of 2019.