Zus & zo (Hotel Paraiso) (2001)

42% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(300 ratings)

Dutch filmmaker Paula van der Oest spins this frothy comedy about the ends to which three sisters would go to keep possession of the family's summer home in Portugal. When their 32-year-old brother, Nino, announces his engagement with his younger girlfriend, Bo, his three siblings react not with… More Dutch filmmaker Paula van der Oest spins this frothy comedy about the ends to which three sisters would go to keep possession of the family's summer home in Portugal. When their 32-year-old brother, Nino, announces his engagement with his younger girlfriend, Bo, his three siblings react not with congratulatory happiness but with shocked indignation instead. For one thing, Nino was gay for most of his teens and twenties; and another, if he gets married then he inherits the summer villa. The three sisters are united by two traits: they each have vivid interior fantasy worlds -- often involving having sex with the other's husbands -- and they each dream of retiring to Portugal. Starving artist Wanda wants to open a gallery there, while writer Sonja dreams of living there with her husband. Michelle, the eldest, wants to flee her hectic domestic life as a housewife and mother to open a home for war orphans. Together, they cheerfully connive to undermine the engagement, as Bo invites them to Portugal to help plan the wedding. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Paula Van der Oest
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 10, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jul 8, 2003
Studio: Lifesize Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
A comedy in which lightweight attempts at relevance mostly fall flat.
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
While Zus & Zo strains for style points, it's just an off-the-shelf romantic comedy, and not a very good one.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The title translates, roughly, as 'This & That,' a confectionary shrug that pretty well sums up the blase inconsequentiality of it all.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
It's been a long time since a film made me want to change the ending.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Fortunately, the performers ... fully embrace the ludicrous aspects of their roles, with frequently hilarious results.
Jan Stuart, Newsday
The Dutch may have scooped us when it comes to embracing the various permutations of human sexuality, but Paula van der Oest's densely schematic romantic comedy crinkles enlightenment into an aluminum-foil ball of hooey.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Hay ante todo una notable frescura en la observación de sus personajes que seguramente proviene de la habilidad de su directora y guionista Paula van der Oest.
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
It's all very Woody Allen, and more than a little silly.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
The script is smart, the writing sassy, the pacing crisp
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
Scattered among the annoying angst are a few brief moments of amusement...
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
The movie seems intended to show that Holland is the most inanely liberal place on Earth.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
It's good-humored, nicely photographed and inoffensive and not too long.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A gentle exploration of mistakes, as four siblings discover themselves and each other.
David Noh, Film Journal International
Blithely diverting family comedy is only marred by a too-precious final denouement.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This winning comedy joyfully embraces every possible permutation of love; cupid, it turns out, is indeed blind, and doesn't care much about gender either.