Paz de la Huerta, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rosario Dawson

This movie tells five stories set in a single day at the famed Chelsea Hotel in New York City, involving an ensemble cast of some 30-35 characters.

Flixster Users

45% liked it

224 ratings

Critics

27% liked it

45 critics

R, 109 min.

Directed by: Ethan Hawke

Release Date: December 31, 2001

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DVD Release Date: August 6, 2002

Stats: 67 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (67)


  • January 10, 2009
    Ethan Hawke's passionate directorial debut paints a mosaic of love, dreams, regrets and plenty of other things that we all experience as people. Hawke's unorthodox approach not only to storytelling, but also to film as a narrative medium, is refreshing and suitably out of the box...( read more). Aiding the effectiveness of this unique picture's beauty is a highly talented and convincing cast of actors. This is not a film that everyone will enjoy, but it's something I loved watching and it definitely appealed to me on a personal level.
  • January 7, 2009
    Nothing but pretentious babble.
  • September 20, 2007
    trying to hard to be an art film...and fails.
  • April 29, 2007
    I want to contradict myself by accident, and for you to know what I mean...

    This film, which really isn't a movie as such, more a feeling of mood with snatches of conversation, is definitely going to be something of an acquired taste. Directed by Ethan Hawke, the film s

    ...( read more)hifts focus between the various occupants of the Chelsea Hotel in New York (which in the past has been inhabited by various famous poets, authors and artists, from Tennessee Williams to Bob Dylan). There's very little in the way of narrative or story, we just catch glimpses of peoples feelings, thoughts, hopes and doubts. There isn't a sudden understanding at the end of the film, and the various peoples lives don't suddenly connect or clash.

    The way it's filmed stops everything from feeling pretentious, or too much like a vanity project (which it undoubtedly is). In fact the way it's filmed (on digital video) - the dreamy, 'hypnoticness' of it - was what sucked me in and made me feel a part of it. The photography from Tom Richmond is beautiful in places.

    Ethan Hawke has managed to assemble a sprawling cast, some of whom are very talented indeed, presumably all working for scale. Among them are Vincent D'Onofrio, Rosario Dawson, Steve Zahn and Uma Thurman, but the two best performances come from Robert Sean Leonard and Kris Kristofferson.

    I watched this late at night when I was slightly sleepy, which is probably the best way to see this film. Cautiously recommended.

  • April 6, 2007
    Only because Vinny's in it.
  • January 8, 2007
    I dont like the word chelsea

Critic Reviews


June 17, 2002
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

A complete waste of time. full review

June 13, 2002
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Hawke's actors are a talented troupe, and even when things get self-indulgent and fuzzy-headed (and boy, do they!), interesting stuff is going on. full review

June 7, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Movies like this do not grab you by the throat. You have to be receptive. full review

May 10, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Hampered -- no, paralyzed -- by a self-indulgent script ... that aims for poetry and ends up sounding like satire. full review

View more Chelsea Walls reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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Chelsea Walls Trivia


  • What actress plays in the following movies: the avengers, les miserables, chelsea walls and kill bill?  Answer »
  • Uma Thurman appeared in three films ('Gattaca', 'Tape' and 'Chelsea Walls') with which actor, who formerly happened to be her husband?   Answer »
  • Uma Thurman appeared in three films ('Gattaca', 'Tape' and 'Chelsea Walls') with which actor, who formerly happened to be her husband?  Answer »
  • Uma Thurman appeared in three films ('Gattaca', 'Tape' and 'Chelsea Walls') with which actor, who formerly happened to be her husband?   Answer »

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