U2 just played a concert here in Lexington last Friday night and the midnight movie at the Kentucky Theatre was the Million Dollar Hotel. So, I was one of the few people to see it on the big screen. This is the best way to watch it, especially if you want to catch cowriter/coproducer Bono in his all too brief (if you blink you'll miss it) cameo. The opening ariel shots were breathtakingly beautiful. You'd swear the theatre was flying every time the camera becomes elevated. There are imediate shades of director Wim Wender's Wings of Desire as we watch Tom Tom (played by Jeremy Davies ) take a flying leap off the Million Dollar Hotel. The only other person who could have played this character -an obvious extension of Bono- would be Bono himself (and what a shame he didn't). Nevertheless, we know bono or no that right from the get go Davies perfomance will be rewarding, and it truly is. In fact, Davies manages to break every rule of acting and get away with it. His interaction with Detective Skinner (played by Mel Gibson) is halarious - especially in the resturant scene. The supporting players seem to be having a good time too, most notably Peter Sormare - who steals the show as the menatally illusioned "fifth Beatle"- a dead ringer for John Lennon. The story itself is so autisicly told and eratically paced, it demands repeat viewings (the hallmark of many a cult film). Overall a weird and rewarding experience.
Review of The Million Dollar Hotel
