Product: The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)
Rating: 3.0
MAYBE A THOUSAND DOLLARS
THE MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL is one of those artsy films that gains critical acclaim because it was directed by Wim Wenders and is produced and musically enhanced by Bono. yes, indeed, it's one of the most unusual films I've seen in a while. But originality doesn't always make an entertaining film. What's the whole point of the movie: that the mentally challenged can fall in love too? To allow Wenders to wield his cinematic sword and make lovely looking scenes, and to give Bono another chance to try and show us he is not just a rock star?Some of the movie has some wonderful moments, and yes the romance between Tom Tom and Eloise is touching in its different approach. Jeremy Davies gives a tremendous performance as Tom Tom, which is why I give the movie three stars. His portrayal of the "idiot" is so on target one forgets he's acting. Milla Jovovich should stick to the Resident Evil movies; her waifishness seemed forced and her character too off the wall to be believable. Gloria Stuart, that lovely elderly lady who came back to the cinematic world's attention in TITANIC, seems to be used merely to spout four letter obscenities to show that foul language is cool for the octogenarian set. Jimmy Smits and Bud Cort offer support, but their characters are too underdeveloped to really impact the movie. That leaves us Mel Gibson in probably his most unusual role. While he infuses some manic intensity in the role of the FBI agent who had an arm removed from his back (come on writers, let's not test the waters too much), overall he merely seems to be doing a favor for Wenders and Bono.Cryptic and overblown, MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL did not make a wave in theatres; I can understand why. Good job, though, Jeremy.