takes22tango
Joined Mar 2000
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takes22tango's rating
A movie whose amateurish production is only undercut by its underlying ideology. Making such a high-caliber cast look so weak is an art in itself. Due to the almost non-existent narrative structure, the one-dimensional characters and the incredibly simplistic world view, the movie drags on painfully and after 30 minutes it feels like you've already spent two hours. The supposed moral superiority of the protagonists is imposed so forcefully that it becomes unbearable at some point.
If you are into Ostalgie and self-pity and consider the socialism of the former GDR to be the superior political system, this movie is a good choice. For the rest, rather not.
If you are into Ostalgie and self-pity and consider the socialism of the former GDR to be the superior political system, this movie is a good choice. For the rest, rather not.
"The Million Dollar Hotel" is the best Wenders movie for a long time. After the disappointing last one "The End of Violence" this film represents what the "The End of Violence" probably should have been. What seemed there confused and lacking the specific atmosphere is realised in "The Million Dollar Hotel" in a fascinating way. Wenders creates a surrealistic and a the same time very realistic mood with the support of his brilliant actors, the great music and the superb photography work by which every single picture is perfect for itself.
The film's magic can of course not be found in the plot, which could be told in one sentence. What makes this film special is Wenders' ability to create a world of its own, which is as freaky as it is of a thrilling realism. Every character is interesting and pictures a single microcosm. While in the beginning one must think all the time of David Lynch and his idea of a FBI special agent in "Twin Peaks", the film slowly becomes an impressing study of two both fascinating and still very strange people. Yet it never becomes moralistic or tries to reach a political correctness in the sense of `Respect handicapped people although they are freaks!'. Wenders' aesthetic approach is to make their world visible on the screen. And in the perfection he does it this is very much.
"The Million Dollar Hotel" is Wenders as his best. You shouldn't expect an action movie or a drama with the plot complexity of "King Lear". But if you like the subtle humour of Lynch combined with Wender's perfect art of photography and the charm of an European deconstructing LA (there has never been a better characterisation of LA as far as I know), you'll love that film. I did.
The film's magic can of course not be found in the plot, which could be told in one sentence. What makes this film special is Wenders' ability to create a world of its own, which is as freaky as it is of a thrilling realism. Every character is interesting and pictures a single microcosm. While in the beginning one must think all the time of David Lynch and his idea of a FBI special agent in "Twin Peaks", the film slowly becomes an impressing study of two both fascinating and still very strange people. Yet it never becomes moralistic or tries to reach a political correctness in the sense of `Respect handicapped people although they are freaks!'. Wenders' aesthetic approach is to make their world visible on the screen. And in the perfection he does it this is very much.
"The Million Dollar Hotel" is Wenders as his best. You shouldn't expect an action movie or a drama with the plot complexity of "King Lear". But if you like the subtle humour of Lynch combined with Wender's perfect art of photography and the charm of an European deconstructing LA (there has never been a better characterisation of LA as far as I know), you'll love that film. I did.