After Quentin Tarantino's success with Pulp Fiction in 1994 and Robert Rodriguez's Desperado in 1995, they, along with indie directors, Allison Anders and Alexandre Rockwell (who directed In the Soup. Click the link in the title to see my previous review of that film) wanted to make a film set in a hotel with a wacky bellhop who had comedic adventures in each room, directed by each auteur. Originally, titled Five Rooms, Richard Linklater was scheduled to contribute a room but he later dropped out before production began.
As before, I won't give you the entire plot details on each room but I'll give you enough to salivate so you'll go watch the movie yourself. Since each room is short and there are other scenes with Ted intertwined before and between each room, these descriptions will be short but as usual, I will give my thoughts afterwards. Here's the plot:
Ted (Tim Roth), a new bellhop at the once popular Monsignor Hotel in L.A. is working the late shift on New Year's Eve. On top of that, his boss, Betty (Kathy Griffin) has left him all by himself so she can go to a party. Ted is about to have a memorable night whether he likes it or not.
The Missing Ingredient:
The first room, directed by Allison Anders (Gas, Food, Lodging) is the honeymoon suite which is inhabited by a coven of witches (Madonna, Valeria Golino, Ione Skye, Lili Taylor, Sammi Davis and Alica Witt). They are coming together to resurrect their Goddess, Diana (the gorgeous Amanda De Cadenet) after she was imprisoned by a jealous lover many years ago. Each witch has brought a symbol of love with them to put into the calderon to resurrect Diana but Eva, (Skye) who was supposed to bring semen failed to "get it". The other witches give her an hour to get some and fortunately for him, Ted happens to bring up the room service.
The Wrong Man:
The second room, directed by Alexandre Rockwell is room 409 in which Siegfried (character actor, David Proval) and Angela (Jennifer Beals) are having a lovers quarrel. Ted is supposed to bring some ice to a party in room 309, however the man who called was too drunk to remember where he is and tells Ted room 409. Ted ends up right in the middle of Siegfried and Angela's psychosexual drama involving a gun, pills and a very unstable Siegfried.
The Misbehavers:
The third room, directed by Robert Rodriguez, deals with a husband and wife (Antonio Banderas & Tamlyn Tomita) who want to go out to a New Year's party without their two young children. They call Ted up to bring room service and the husband (referred only as Man in the credits) decides to pay Ted $500 to watch his kids for the night, providing they don't misbehave. After the Man and Wife leave, Ted tells the children to call him if they need anything and he leaves them alone for the night. Naturally, the children end up calling Ted a bunch of times and get on his last nerve. Things get worse when the Man and Wife arrive early at the hotel.
In between these two rooms is a very amusing interlude including Marissa Tomei, smoking pot and playing Rambo on Sega Genesis while talking to Ted on the phone. The two banter on about Ted's night and while it is unclear who wrote and directed this scene, it is well written, directed and acted. Kathy Griffin also has about a page's worth of dialogue with Ted and that's all I have to say about her.
The Man From Hollywood:
Quentin Tarantino directs and stars in the last room about a film director (who would've guessed?) and his entourage (which includes Paul Calderon, Jennifer Beals and an uncredited Bruce Willis) who want to re-enact a bet to dismember from an old Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode. The group is drunk and wants to pay Ted to be the hatchet man.
First off, I need to address the obvious: Tim Roth shines in this film! Originally the role of Ted the bellhop was written for Steve Buscemi and as much as I love Buscemi, Roth was clearly the better choice. Ted is seriously stressed out and yelling most of the film and while most actors will make you want to stop watching, Roth's Ted makes you want to see how much more he can take. Complete with subtle nervous ticks, sweating and some of the best comical delivery I've ever seen committed to film. No joke. You may end up not liking Four Rooms since if it's one thing the internet ever did, it was to prove that everyone's taste in film is different, however you will agree that Tim Roth stole the show here.
Now the small group of those who have seen and enjoy this film will agree that Rodriguez's segment (the third room) is by far the best. While I completely agree with this, that is not to say that the other rooms do not have their strong points. In the first room, there is some good quick-witted comedy and the women add sex appeal (especially Ione Skye who is still beautiful). Add Ted in for the great performance and voila!
The second room (Rockwell's - Room 409) is interesting to watch the first time for the plot and another for the performances of David Proval, Jennifer Beals, and of course, Tim Roth. There are some comedic moments that work, and some that that may be confusing but all in all, it's still a good one. Proval, who usually doesn't get a lot of screen time in the films he is in is a standout here and his and Ted's nervous, erratic banter makes this one work.
Room three, directed by Robert Rodriguez, is by far the best because it's a slappy, madcap segment that doesn't take itself as serious as the other rooms do. The direction, editing, Tim Roth, dialogue, music and other performances (including the kids) make this one shine the brightest and in a small way, make the viewer feel sorry for the other directors whose rooms weren't this good. Roth's aggravated banter with the kids and the final nail-biting moment of this room will have you in stitches from laughing and may give you some hypertension for Ted's possible fate at the hands of Antonio Banderas.
Quentin Tarantino's room is probably my second favorite if not for the dialogue and the predicament that Ted is thrown into, especially given the earlier events of his night. Tarantino starts off with a lot of dialogue given to himself which may turn some viewers off but near the end of this segment, it becomes more interesting and entertaining as he is laying out loads of money on the table if Ted accepts his offer. Bruce Willis, who spends a lot of screen time yelling is great as always and of course, there's Tim Roth.
I should also comment on the music in Four Rooms. Combustible Edison and Mark Mothersbaugh (film composer of Devo fame) contribute some great uplifting, lounge music to give the film a zany, comical feel. Sadly, if you watch this film through Netflix Instant Queue there are a few songs that have been changed most likely due to rights issues. Despite the film finally being presented in high definition, these "new" songs change the quirky feel of the film and are the major drawback to watching it on Netflix.
Four Rooms may not be a perfect film, nor is it filled with symbolism, subtext or social commentary but it is a fun film to watch while leaving your brain out for a while. Did I mention Tim Roth steals the show?
4 Rooms (Out of 5)
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