Niagara Motel (2005)
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36% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
35% of users liked it
(556 ratings)
A handful of oddballs and misfits cross paths at a motel overlooking one of Canada's more recognizable landmarks in this independent comedy. Phillie (Craig Ferguson) is the alcoholic and deeply depressed manager of the Niagara Motel, a shabby inn a stone's throw from the Canadian side of the… More A handful of oddballs and misfits cross paths at a motel overlooking one of Canada's more recognizable landmarks in this independent comedy. Phillie (Craig Ferguson) is the alcoholic and deeply depressed manager of the Niagara Motel, a shabby inn a stone's throw from the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. Phillie's guests at the moment include Michael (Kevin Pollak), a sleazy director and producer of porn videos who is attempting to persuade Loretta (Caroline Dhavernas), a pretty young waitress at a nearby diner, to star in his latest series of adult movies; Denise (Anna Friel) and R.J. (Kristen Holden- Reid), a drug-addled couple struggling to regain custody of their child; Henry (Peter Keleghan) and Lily (Wendy Crewson), whose marriage is already starting to crumble before temptation presents itself to Lily; and Boris (Damir Andrei), the Niagara's short-tempered owner. Over the course of their stays, the folks staying at the Niagara will witness an unplanned kidnapping, meet the motel's in-house prostitute, encounter a down-on-his-luck staple salesman, and get uncalled-for advice from a born-again social worker. Niagara Motel received its world premiere at the 2005 New Montreal Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gary Yates
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Apr 3, 2006 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Eddie Cockrell, Variety
A blue chip cast is wasted in the painfully unfunny ensemble comedy Niagara Motel, about a gaggle of self-absorbed nitwits struggling to make ends meet on the Canadian side of the tourist mecca.
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Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Too many characters and so much plot that no single scenario ever develops into an absorbing drama.
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Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
The actors are more or less on the same page, trying as much as possible to underplay this overheated material. But that doesn't help when the page itself is a scribbled sheet of foolscap crammed with narrative tangents and thematic jottings.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I'm not exactly sure what compelled me to finish watching this so-called "black comedy," which is a little heavy on the black and far too light on the comedy.
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Anton Bitel, Eye for Film
a tragicomic ensemble piece about people on the edge and love on the rocks.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Craig Ferguson
as Phillie Phillips
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Anna Friel
as Denise
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Caroline Dhavernas
as Loretta Bourgogne
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Peter Keleghan
as Henry
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Kristen Holden-Reid
as R.J.
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Tom Barnett
as Dave
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Catherine Fitch
as Sophie (Boris' Daughter)
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Janet-Laine Green
as Helen Mackie
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Krista Bridges
as Sandy
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Normand Daneau
as Gilles
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Damir Andrei
as Boris the Motel Owner
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Pierre Collin
as Claude
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Daniele Lorain
as Lucille
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Kevin Pollak
as Michael
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Wendy Crewson
as Lily
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Harry Nelken
as Bartender
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Mike Bell
as Pool Player, Talk Show Guest
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Curtis Moore
as Salesman
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Jessica Burleson
as Receptionist
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David Evans
as Job Applicant
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Jeff Skinner
as Mr. Wilcox
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Ernesto Griffith
as Warehouse Boss
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Stephen Eric McIntyre
as Billy
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Joanne Rodriguez
as Talk Show Guest
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Sara McCrindle
as Talk Show Guest
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Lee White
as Talk Show Guest
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Tracy McMahon
as Phillie's Wife
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Kevin Klassen
as Young John
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Clifford Wasylik
as Older John
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Sarah Constible
as Foster Mom
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Eleanor Coopsammy
as News Anchor
- Kristen Holden-Ried
