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41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful journey into the souls of madmen, August 30, 2000
There's been a lot of debating over whether or not this film deserves its Berlin Silver Bear award. In my mind it deserves more than that, for this is truly a remarkable film. The Million Dollar Hotel is a home for outcasts and mentally unstable people. Once it was probably a high-class place, but time has taken its toll and it is now merely a parody of itself. Inhabitants include a mad Indian Chief wannabe (played by Jimmy Smits), a guy who thinks he's a member of the Beatles (hilariously played by Peter Stormare) the retarded "hero" of the story Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies) and the shadowy, silent Elouise (Milla Jovovich) who he has a serious crush on. One day Tom Tom's nearest friend fall off the roof of the hotel, and foul play is suspected. It is then up to an FBI Special Agent (Mel Gibson) to find the murderer. This is no easy task indeed! What sets this movie apart from the mainstream is that it oozes atmosphere and that is dares to be *different*. Director Wim Wenders has taken the story by none other than Bono from U2 and worked his magic on it. The result is a visually stunning film with some of the most intense moments I've ever seen. Add the amazing soundtrack, also by Bono, and the excellent performances by all actors and the result should be obvious: an instant classic. Bear in mind, though, that this is my opinion of the movie. It is shared by a couple of my friends, but other reviewers have strongly criticised the film. I fail to see why, but it just seems to be one of those movies that people either love or hate. In any case I strongly recommend seeing it, if only to experience its intense, sad beauty. This is indeed no cheerful film, but it does have its fair share of funny quirky moments. The Million Dollar Hotel is one of those rare movies that touch something deep inside me, and leaves me speechless. What can I possibly say other than: see it!
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
intriguingly wonderful, November 9, 2001
million dollar hotel is one of those films that seem to grab you by the senses and make you fall in love with people who live in a sort of loonie bin. million dollar hotel is a film about an old dilapidated hotel whose residents are mentally unstable. they find themselves in a bind when they find out one of them has been murdered but no one knows who did it. tom tom(jeremy davies) is a character you instantly feel for from his the first scene when he jumps off the building in spectacular fashion and says, "after i jumped, i realized...life is the best." in some respects, you almost envy him for realizing this, but pity him at the same time for finding this out too late. milla jovovich has an equally curious role. she plays a strung out woman who finds herself reading romance novels all day at a used bookstore and prostitutes herself at night. jovovich plays almost the same role as davies, but at the same time, much different. it's no wonder he finds himself chasing her through the whole movie and nearly getting what he wanted...her. mel gibson plays a secondary role in this film, as he should, as a detective who happens to be a "freak" just like the people he is investigating. million dollar hotel is definitely not for someone looking for another stereotypical mel gibson flick as it is a far cry from lethal weapon and what women want...lucky for all of us. the movie as a whole is one of the best i have ever seen. it is a shame it was not given much publicity in the states as it was in europe. it was co-produced by U2 frontman Bono who also, along with the rest of the band, creates a dark, but excellent, soundtrack that complements the movie like no other. definitely pick this one up...movies like this only come once in a lifetime.
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25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Million Dollar Hotel, April 16, 2001
By A Customer
This is a wonderful movie, made with love. The score is haunting and and sweet, yet not obtrusive. The colors and the photography are stunningly beautiful. This is not a thriller; rather, it is a love story played against a background of cynicism, delusion, betrayal, fraud and brutality. This film demands the viewer's undivided attention, as much is going on in the background of almost every scene. This film is also an ode to a hotel in Los Angeles, one of two built in the 1920s by two brothers. One would not think such a tribute could be paid to an old hotel, but "The Million Dollar Hotel" is just that, as the varying and lovely shots of the hotel bear witness throughout the film. Mel Gibson delivers his best performance to date as the brutal, threatening FBI agent Skinner, who has a change-of-heart. Jeremy Davies is incredibly winning as Tom-Tom, the border-retarded unofficial "butler," full of wisdom, humor and insight, for the hotel's residents. Milla Jovovich is Eloise, a sadder-but-wiser young woman, worshipped by Tom-Tom. Their love blossoms as events slowly roll beyond their control. Most of the characters in this movie seem devoid of principles, and this film contains several instances of betrayal. But, against the betrayals and the unrolling of events, Tom-Tom is unwavering in his love for and protection of Eloise. This film is worthy of several viewings and provokes discussion with each viewing experience, proof that there is something here worthy of one's time. The question is, what did Tom-Tom mean by his final statement at the end of the picture?
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