Writer/Director: Drew Goddard
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson and Jon Hamm
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which are worth as much as Chris Hemsworth. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Hemsworth has become an icon. Whether it’s bold gangsters, gods with magical hammers or race car drivers, Hemsworth has played many strong characters. Arguably, Hemsworth’s best strength as an actor has always been his bold commitment towards craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talents for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Hemsworth has always left a strong impression. Although he is known for his renowned role as Thor in the MCU, Hemsworth has proven he can thrive making films in every genre. Throughout a strong career, Hemsworth has made many unforgettable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Hemsworth and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Bad Times at the El Royale” stands out as being my favourite. Released in 2018, Drew Goddard’s movie offered a powerful portrait of doomed hotels facing adversity. Packed with stunning production, engaging storytelling and strong storytelling, it’s one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Chris Hemsworth, who plays a gangster engaging in a life of crime causing an adversity. Ultimately, what makes “Bad Times at the El Royale” a crime classic is its strong appeal. Unlike most movies about hotels, the film tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about a frightening hotel, there are many reasons why “Bad Times at the El Royale” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Set in 1969, “Bad Times at the El Royale” tells the story of a group of strangers huddled in a hotel facing a downfall. Jeff Bridges portrays Father Flynn, a priest that seeks to manage a competitive hotel. Flynn has always excelled at managing a hotel facing disaster. However, his life drastically changes when strangers arrive unannounced at his hotel hotel which cause a disaster. Among the strangers arrived at the hotel is Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth), a ruthless gangster that faces adversity. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Flynn begins to question whether it’s possible for him to be a successful hotel manager. Faced with a grim dilemma, Flynn wonders whether it’s possible to manage a risky hotel in America. Realizing the consequences of running a commemorated hotel, Flynn is forced to question whether he can any longer excel.
Drew Goddard is fascinated with the stories of isolated homes. A strong filmmaker, Goddard has often made engaging movies about homes that are isolated facing danger. His iconic film “Cabin in the Woods” offered a strong portrait of cabins located in woods which face tragedy. With “Bad Times at the El Royale”, the director made his first crime drama about hotels. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture hotels facing tragedies but he pulled it off immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Goddard captures a manager which seeks to run a hotel that faces tragedies. Evoking Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, Goddard effectively uses point of view shots to capture the lives of individuals trapped in a doomed hotel. Through stunning point of view shots, Goddard captures tension individuals in hotels are facing. POV shots are complex techniques to use in movies. As Ron Howard’s “Rush” suggested, POV shots often enhance race car films. However, it works well in this movie. Through strong visuals, Goddard captures tensions that individuals in a doomed hotel are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Bad Times at the El Royale” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Inspired by Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, Goddard successfully uses the production of a hotel to capture the lives of individuals facing tension. Throughout the movie, the hotel plays an essential role in capturing individuals facing stressful situation. For instance, backdrop of the hotel enhances the meeting scene. During this intense scene, Flynn is introduced towards various members in his hotel causing tension. Through stunning set-design, Goddard captures hotels facing a decline. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Michael Giacchino’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that hotels bear. Through breathtaking production, Goddard captures doomed hotels experiencing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Bad Times at the El Royale” is a crime movie that’s compelling. The film is effectively well-written, and expertly uses silence to capture doomed hotels facing tension. Throughout the movie, the silence plays a vital role capturing bonds between strangers huddled in a hotel. For instance; silence elevates the hotel conflict scene. During this memorable scene, Flynn is shocked when a murder happens at his hotel causing tension. Using sequences of silence, Goddard crafts a portrait of hotels audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” suggested, silence elevates movies about road warriors. Rupert Sanders’ “Snow White and the Huntsman” suggested that silence enhances fantasy films. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using a bold screenplay, Goddard captures hotels facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Chris Hemsworth gives one of his best career performances as Billy Lee. Hemsworth earned appreciation for playing magical gods with a hammer in comic-book films. With “Bad Times at the El Royale”, however, the actor took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a criminal facing adversities but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a gangster seeking to reside in a hotel. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s working in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for Chris Hemsworth, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Jeff Bridges is brilliant, bringing authority to a hotel manager seeking to run a competitive business causing adversity. Dakota Johnson is dazzling, bringing charisma toward a woman that lives in an isolated hotel experiencing a dilemma. Lastly, Jon Hamm deserves praise. As a police officer, he brings tensions to the film.
Finally, “Bad Times at the El Royale” will earn the appreciations for everyone for capturing hotels facing a downfall. Unlike most movies about hotels, the movie tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including isolation, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the tales of hotels to appreciate it. It delivers an engaging message about childhood trauma which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Bad Times at the El Royale” is one of those rare movies about hotels which everyone will adore.
Fans of Chris Hemsworth will definitely enjoy “Bad Times at the El Royale” and so would movie-goers seeking engaging entertainment. An engaging period piece, it honours an actor that’s awe-inspiring.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about a doomed hotel, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with timeless stories to tell in memorable movies which have never lost their abilities to excel.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 