Bad Times at the El Royale makes for good times at the movies.
Movie Rating 8 friends out of 10
Family Rating Adult themes, coarse language and violence
The movie, Bad Times at the El Royale, has snuck into theatres very quietly with all the fuss for A Star is Born eclipsing other releases. I had heard this movie referred to as a cheap tribute to Quentin Tarantino but I believe that it captured the Tarantino storytelling without creating a copycat story.
The El Royale is a regal old hotel that is way past its heyday but used to be the place that rich and powerful would visit. It has the distinction of being built on the border between Nevada and California that allowed it to be a casino on the Nevada side but not on the California side. When we visit the El Royale Hotel it is run down and without much business but sees the arrival of four unrelated characters with their own secrets. One by one the backstory for each character is told and as it does so there are unexpected reveals that throw your initial perceptions off guard.
The setting at the hotel is the late 60’s and there are hints as to the racism, male chauvinism and hippie culture that was America of the day. The story does not rush the development of the characters but you know that you can’t look away or else you may miss something that will help to make sense later. The five main characters are Jeff Bridges as Father Flynn, Cynthia Erivo (I have not seen her before) as backup singer Darlene Sweet, John Hamm as salesman Laramie Sullivan, Dakota Johnson as Emily Summerspring and Lewis Pullman as the hotel’s only employee Miles Miller. Each actor provides a facade at the beginning and it is not until the movie develops do you find who they really are and what brings them to El Royale. With only a small number of characters, they play well as an ensemble and the intertwining stories and relationships allows you to see the truth emerge.
You may have also heard that Chris Hemsworth is in the film and he has a vital role in the second half of the movie but it is not a character you will have seen him play before. His presence fits the character to a tee and it is not hard to believe that he could have the influence he has on those around him. Too much more would give away key elements of the plot.
So why has the movie been compared to Tarantino? Firstly as mentioned there is a depth in each character beyond your average story. Secondly, the character roles start out as individuals but then become entangled and each impacts on the other without intending to. Thirdly there are incidents of harsh and unexpected violence that come at you as if you have been slapped in the face. The major difference I found was that this movie does not fall into black humour to relieve the tension. Director and Writer, Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods) has done an excellent job bringing the best out of the actors and tells a good story. If you are a Tarantino fan or enjoy a dark mystery with lots of twists then take the time to see this movie.