Hotel (2001 film)

Plot

While a British film crew are shooting a version of The Duchess of Malfi in Venice, they in turn are being filmed by a sleazy documentary primadonna while the strange hotel staff share meals which consist of human meat. The story expands to involve a hit man, a call girl and the Hollywood producer.

The film itself makes several mentions of the Dogme 95 style of filmmaking, and has been described as a "Dogme film-within-a-film."

Reception

The film was not a financial success and received mixed reviews. Roger Ebert noted this and pointed out the complex nature of the film:

"Many critics have agreed that "Hotel" is not successful, but I would ask: Not successful at what? Before you conclude that a movie doesn't work, you have to determine what it intends to do. This is not a horror movie, a behind-the-scenes movie, a sexual intrigue or a travelogue, but all four at once, elbowing one another for screen time. It reminds me above all of a competitive series of jazz improvisations, in which the musicians quote from many sources and the joy comes in the way they're able to keep their many styles alive in the same song.... The movie has to be pointless in order to make any sense."

Cast

Lucy Liu ... Kawika

John Malkovich ... Omar Jonnson

David Schwimmer ... Jonathan Danderfine

Saffron Burrows ... Duchess of Malfi

Valentina Cervi ... Hotel Maid

George DiCenzo ... Boris

Christopher Fulford ... Steve Hawk

Jeremy Hardy ... Flamenco Troupe Administrator

Salma Hayek ... Charlee Boux

Danny Huston ... Hotel Manager

Rhys Ifans ... Trent Stoken

Jason Isaacs ... Australian Actor

Mía Maestro ... Cariola

Chiara Mastroianni ... Hotel Nurse

Laura Morante ... Greta

Burt Reynolds ... The Flamenco Manager

Mark Strong ... Ferdinand

Julian Sands ... Tour Guide

Ornella Muti ... Flamenco Spokesperson

Stefania Rocca ... Sophie

Fabrizio Bentivoglio ... Very Important Doctor

Brian Bovell ... Cardinal

Christopher Fulford ... Steve Hawk

Valeria Golino ... Italian Actress