The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)

26% of critics liked it
(43 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(11,061 ratings)

Legendary filmmaker Wim Wenders returns to the screen with this loosely structured murder mystery. The Million Dollar Hotel unites Wender's obsession with cool music, lost souls, and American trash culture. Set in 2001, the film opens with Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies) taking a flying leap off the roof of… More Legendary filmmaker Wim Wenders returns to the screen with this loosely structured murder mystery. The Million Dollar Hotel unites Wender's obsession with cool music, lost souls, and American trash culture. Set in 2001, the film opens with Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies) taking a flying leap off the roof of the Million Dollar Hotel, an ironically titled dive in the seedy section of L.A. Told in an extended flashback, Tom Tom recounts the murder investigation of a down-and-out artist and son of a media mogul, Izzy Goldkiss (Tim Roth), who also fell off the hotel. FBI special agent Skinner (none other than Mel Gibson), sporting a neck brace, looks into the death only to discover that the building is teeming with weirdos and losers. There is Vivien (Amanda Plummer), who claims to be the fiancée of the rock star; Geronimo (Jimmy Smits), a huckster trying to make a buck by selling Izzy's abstract painting; Eloise (Milla Jovovich), a burned out prostitute with a passion for intellectual literature; and Dixie (Peter Stormare), who swears up and down that he is the fifth Beatle. As the film progresses, Skinner proves to be just as much of a freak as the hotel tenets -- he was born with a third arm that was surgically removed from his back. Just as in his Until the End of the World (1991), Wenders features a fantastic soundtrack including songs from Bono, Daniel Lanois, and Brian Eno. The Million Dollar Hotel opened the 2000 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Wim Wenders
Written By: Nicholas Klein
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Feb 25, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Jun 12, 2001
Studio: Icon Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle
It is probably asking too much of this phantasmagoria that it make sense.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
If you're looking for a defining Wenders image, try starting with the gloomy angels in overcoats in Wings Of Desire.
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz
An exercise in whimsy.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
If any of these characters were half as resonant as Wenders appears to think they are, the film might have seemed charming instead of merely stranded.
David Stratton, Variety
Audiences partial to this rather rarefied material will find plenty to enjoy in the technically polished production, but those not on Wenders' wavelength will be seriously alienated.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
The script that Nicholas Klein has conjured from Bono's idea is a quicksand that sucks down a solid cast.
Ellen MacKay, Common Sense Media
Self-indulgent and boring; mature teens only.
Jean-François Vandeuren, Panorama
Les amateurs de films se basant avant tout sur le développement d'ambiances langoureuses seront conquis d'avance.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
A delicate, immensely moving elegy about jewels in the trash, love amidst suffering, fraternity in poverty.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An absurd comedy set in an LA flophouse...
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
The kind of kitchen sink included disaster that Wenders has demonstrated he will make more often than not.
Jay Stone, Ottawa Citizen
It plays like a sop thrown down by a genius who imagines his every pensée is both precious and engagingly satirical.
Janet Branagan, Apollo Guide
Doesn't live up to its name, nor to the promise of big-name stars like Gibson, Bono or Jovovich.
Ed Kelleher, Film Journal International
Turns out to be almost as shabby as its name.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Unknown H

Not many people I have spoken to have seen this film but as a Jeremy Davies fan (whom I discovered a love for first in his portrayal of Charles Manson in Helter Skelter and then by accident as Topper in the darkly deviant black comedy Ravenous) I would have to say that it is one of… More
Not many people I have spoken to have seen this film but as a Jeremy Davies fan (whom I discovered a love for first in his portrayal of Charles Manson in Helter Skelter and then by accident as Topper in the darkly deviant black comedy Ravenous) I would have to say that it is one of the most haunting and heartbreaking movies I have ever seen. Although Mel Gibson's presence seems a little odd, as you keep expecting him to pull out a gun and start shooting (as he does on one occasion) I felt his portrayal as a physically deformed polic officer investigating the suicide of a man in the hotel believable. With a perfect narrative from Davies and a strong, all be it odd, cast of characters behind him, this movie is one of my favorites and is one I am happy not many people have seen.
MisterYoda ?

The film version of a literary style known as Magical Realism It's a screwball tragedy, a term made up by someone else to describe this film. There are no others of this type. It's a love story without "They lived happily ever after"; it's a mystery (the… More
The film version of a literary style known as Magical Realism It's a screwball tragedy, a term made up by someone else to describe this film. There are no others of this type. It's a love story without "They lived happily ever after"; it's a mystery (the essence of real) in a subtly surreal world. Not only is the story unique, but so are most of the characters, which seems to be a problem for some viewers. I don't want to paint this movie as too weird, but its differences are some of the best things about it. Cinematography is classic, sharp, lots of deep focus. Exteriors, interiors, non-traditional lighting, a dawn scene shot before the magic hour, it all looks great. I can't recall a scene with foreground in focus while background is out, or vice versa. U2 contributed a tune or two to the soundtrack, as they have for all Wim Wenders films since the 80s. The rest of the soundtrack is jazzy. It supports the film beautifully, and is available on CD. If you've liked any of Wim Wenders films, I think you'll love this one.
Curtis L

Very off beat. It was fun, and even though I hate Jeremy Davies, the rest of the cast checked out.
Stephen M

I can't think of very much to say about this film. The cast list reads like a who's-who of irritating actors: Amanda Plummer, Julian Sands, Bud Cort, etc. Mel Gibson looks very uncomfortable as a G-man investigating a suspicious death, and not just because he's wearing… More
I can't think of very much to say about this film. The cast list reads like a who's-who of irritating actors: Amanda Plummer, Julian Sands, Bud Cort, etc. Mel Gibson looks very uncomfortable as a G-man investigating a suspicious death, and not just because he's wearing a neck brace and is supposed to have had spinal surgery. Jeremy Davies plays twitchy and annoying very well, but who wants to watch that? Wim Wenders creates some magical visuals but the central murder-mystery, which ought to drive the film, is completely underwhelming.
FanGirl B

Milla Jovovich and Mel Gibson in some weird back brace thingy. A quality independent film.