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Zone's Eye View of "The Million Dollar Hotel" |
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Synopsis of movie, courtesy of Road Movies: "The Million Dollar Hotel" is a story of friendship, betrayal and the overwhelming power of unconditional love. A gang of unique outcasts and misfits live in a downtown Los Angeles fleapit, known locally as the "Million Dollar Hotel". Their story is seen through the eyes of a lovesick innocent named Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies), who has fallen head over heels for the tarnished street angel Eloise (Milla Jovovich). As their relationship develops, the Million Dollar Hotel becomes the focus of a police investigation: one of its residents, the engaging junkie Izzy, has come to a grisly end. To the amazement of his neighbours, he is revealed to have been the son of a billionaire media magnate. Every denizen of the Million Dollar Hotel falls under suspicion in the enquiry led by FBI hardliner, Detective Skinner (Mel Gibson). As Skinner's investigation proceeds, the lines between murder and suicide, sane and deranged, become very blurred indeed. Now for The Zone's Eye View By Laura Alber A movie shelved for years has finally surfaced! This was actually pitched to screenwriter Nicholas Klein by U2's Bono, who ended up co-writing, co-producing and scoring the movie. The Million Dollar Hotel stars Mel Gibson as FBI Agent Skinner (costumed with a neck brace for reasons revealed later in the movie). Skinner is hired to find the person who "murdered" Izzy Goldkiss who had either jumped or was pushed off the roof of the Million Dollar Hotel. This is a very dark and surreal movie with colorful characters (reminiscent of those in movies like "Wild at Heart or "Twin Peaks"), a touch of Tarantino's "Four Rooms" mentality, a look into life and death similar to "American Beauty", and a peek into the insanity of people as in "Girl Interrupted" without the medication. Mel describes it himself as "bizarre and darkly comic". The movie takes place inside the Million Dollar Hotel with such characters as "Tom Tom" (Jeremy Davies) who plays the slow but sweet 'poor man's butler'. "Eloise" (Milla Javovich) playing the book reading, barefoot prostitute who Tom Tom is completely infatuated with. "Geronimo" (Jimmy Smits) the tar painting artist who believes he was actually an Indian Chief. "Izzy Goldkiss" (Tim Roth) the dead resident in which all the chaos revolves around. And, last but definitely not least, "The Forgotten Beatle" (Peter Stormare-Armageddon, 8mm), who is angered that he hasn't got credit or royalties for writing all the Beatles' songs. He speaks with his Liverpool accent and acts like he's John Lennon. (Quite an interesting character!) Everyone in the Million Dollar Hotel seems to have some kind of mental problem, but they all embrace each other as a family. Always helping each other out and protecting each other. Agent Skinner (Gibson) becomes quite attached to Tom Tom (Davies) and has him "assist" in questioning all of the residents. In one scene he reveals the reason for his neck/back brace and he proves to have an even more bizarre history than any of the residents at the hotel could even fathom. All Tom Tom wants in the world is to make himself known to the object of his affection, Eloise. He starts imitating Skinner's actions and mannerisms as he finds him most interesting. There are several mini plots involving the residents which are also quite interesting and bizarre. As the ending unfolds, you find you've become quite attached to each character. Why this was shelved for so long, I don't know. It's a brilliant piece of work with a score that engulfs your soul. If you have a liking for the strange and bizarre, this is a must rent. I give it a definite 8 out of 10.
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