Hotel de Love

The actors who played the brothers in this film really make it. The old guy who played the piano in the hotel was brilliant. His facial expressions are priceless!

The ending is just what the doctor ordered!

An interesting story completely spoiled by one ridiculous scene after another, with dialogue and acting to match. I love Australian movies, so I wasn't expecting to encounter such a stinker. Whatever humanity there is in the story is constantly spoiled by the characters' embarrassing actions and reactions, which are supposed to be funny. For a really good and witty Australian comedy, watch Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert instead.

Most romantic comedies these days seem content to get by on charm, but this is genuinely funny and romantic, despite the somewhat gaudy setting of a honeymoon hotel. Although there are quite a few flourishes (like the piano player playing kitsch 70's hits and being the one everyone talks to), it's grounded in real passions and feelings, which also helps the comedy. I especially like the scene between Melissa and Rick where they tell the truth to each other. I didn't know any of the actors in this movie except Saffron Burrows (who I hope goes on to bigger things), but they were all excellent as well.

Most Australian comedies that I have seen have disappointed me because their seemingly mandatory quirkiness is instantly supposed to be funny. For me at least, weird behaviour does not necessarily equal big laughs. "Hotel de Love" seemed to be a little less quirky, and perhaps that is why I liked it. That is not to say that this is without flaws, for it has one big one. But even though this film spends too much time showing the LEAST interesting couple, the other relationships are sufficiently interesting to overcome this mistake. I can't call this anything great, but it is certainly a pleasant way to kill some time.

First of all, it was made by Australians, so they all have neat accents! The setting is eccentric yet fun. This film was particularly enjoyable because of the interplay between the two brothers, Rick and Stephen. Although they begin as total opposites, the beauty of the drama truly arises and they become more like each other.