Review: Bad Times at the El Royale

“Dark dramatic comedy finally returns to the screen, but doesn’t quite have the bite I was hoping for.”

Bad Times at the El Royale was a movie I thought might just top my favourites list for 2018. However, whilst I found the film entertaining, and in a lot of ways, very well made, the film failed to keep me engrossed enough for the 141 minute run time, and the story just didn’t carry enough weight to support the direction it took.

Drew Goddard wrote and directed the film. He has written for TV, in shows such as Daredevil and The Good Place. He also wrote the screen play (not the story) to The Martian, one of my favourite films of 2016. He has mostly sat in the horror and supernatural genres though, with his only other feature director job being The Cabin in the Woods. The cinematography and some of the tone of the film feels lifted from supernatural movies, which helps add some darkness to proceedings, but doesn’t necessarily feel organic to the plot.

The cast is very good throughout and each actor brought something to their role. Cynthia Erivo shines as Darlene, a down on her luck woman on her way to a singing job in Reno. Her fantastic voice is also accompanied by a tough performance that features a good range of character moments.

Jeff Bridges was fantastic as Father Daniel Flynn, providing the film with a number of great acting moments. Dakota Johnson is very tough in what was a smaller role than I expected, but was tough and strong throughout. Lewis Pullman provides the more emotionally fragile character of the story, a man who has seen and done some terrible things and is stuck in the purgatory that is this decaying hotel. Jon Hamm is slightly irritating at times with an over the top character, however, the films plot holds reasons for his performance.

The big surprise was the performance late in the film of Chris Hemsworth, (although Marvel need to up his pay him more for the Thor movies, because it seems he couldn’t afford a shirt for this movie). Hemsworth brings all his usual charm and likability to the role, however, his character is not a likeable one and he plays it very well.

Put a shirt on you show off!

I felt that Goddard’s lack of experience in directing may have been the reason the film didn’t quite come together as well as I’d hoped. He tries to emulate other directors, particularly Tarrantino, through the use of some of the gimmicks Tarrantino employs often. But they don’t quite come together, kind of like a meal that is cooked with everything prepared correctly, but it just hasn’t quite blended into something totally satisfying. But its certainly not unpleasant.

Goddard does pack a few punches, as brutal moments can come out of nowhere, or happen to a character you don’t expect. The story delays the backstory of certain characters for narrative effect, which mostly works, and its intriguing to surmise who is on the level and who is not. Sadly, the trailer did give away a little, but not too much.

The film has enough going for it to make it worth going to see. Some people will possibly love the film, other will probably hate it with a passion. That can be the best formula for a movie, because it’s certainly interesting in any case.

The five bearded questions:

1. Was it worth a cinema trip? Yes

2. Would I See It Again at the Cinema? No.

3. Would I buy it on Blu-ray: (only films I really love get bought these days) No 4. Do I Recommend people see it? Yes.

5. Any cheese/ Disney style bullshit?: (such as jokes wedged in at serious moments, because fun!). No.