The Motel Life
The Motel Life explores the intense bond between two brothers living on the fringes of Reno, Nevada. They grew up dependent on each other and their big imaginations to escape the challenges of their transient life. When the brothers are involved in a fatal accident, it forces them to choose between running or facing reality. It's a story of brotherhood, shared dreams and the redemptive power of hope.
Director:
Alan Polsky, Gabe Polsky
Cast:
Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, Dakotah Fanning
Screenplay:
Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster
Screening Date:
Nov 02, 2013
Running Time:
1 hr 25 min
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.4% | 30.8% | 36.4% | 17.3% | 1.9% |
“The animation refreshing and well integrated into the narrative. Would’ve preferred something more aesthetically pleasing. Light porno is not my cup of tea. The subject depressing, but interesting study of family dynamics.”
“Probably one of the shortest films in length we’ve seen this semester, but it seemed like one of the longest. I thought it would never end.”
“The integration of the art work raised the enjoyment of this difficult story.”
“Can’t stand the Saturday Morning Blues! How about something with life and joy for a change.”
“Emile Hirsch and Stephen Dorff are wonderful, perhaps more so because neither of their characters is exactly endearing. Dakota Fanning has certainly grown up and Kris Kristofferson has certainly grown old.”
“Too much sadness."
“The comparison to Steinbeck’s OF MICE AND MEN is appropriate. George and Lenny of Steinbeck’s Depression era have become Frank and Jerry Lee of the ‘90s, brothers who are inseperable, friends really, with Lenny’s mental instability becoming Jerry Lee’s crippled left leg. Instead of killing the puppy Jerry Lee kills a bicyclist. And both speak volumes of an America with very little opportunity for escaping the poverty, monotony and alcohol.”
“Good acting, actually better than good! But very heavy and hard to recommend without disclaimer.”
“Great dog and illustrations. I need a drink!”
(Spoiler alert!) “Even BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN, one of the most depressing films ever (but one of the best) had a hopeful ending of their new names tatooed on her arm. Frank outside Annie’s bakery with a pint of milk is bleak at best.
“Depressing!”
“More dysfunction! Are these the folks Obama care will cover? When? The cartoon artwork was intriguing, but did not make the movie worthwhile.”
“No character you could sympathize with…no one you would want to meet. The drawings weren’t even that interesting. Ugh!”
"Yes, many comparisons to, but this is no OF MICE AND MEN. Steinbeck’s obsession with dreams have become Frank’s stories, and many more parallels. But this story has none of Steinbeck’s style or profound political allegations. And his drama is way above this seedy little story.”
“Reminds me of LIFE OF PI. A grim reality hidden behind a well-depicted fictional yarn. A very good storyteller who makes life bearable…plus cartoons… This was good for me. I have been indulging in too much upper crust princess-in-the-castle fiction.”
“Best line: ‘You always need hope’ (or something like that.) At least a sad movie with a hopeful ending. Sad to think what talent these guys had and how it wasn’t realized all along. Kris Kristofferson’s character provided a positive reinforcement and father figure for Frank who turned out to have some very positive values. Loved the art and animation. It’s amazing how Frank’s stories sustained Jerry Lee. There were a lot of psychological layers to do it. (We should tell the MEA members who don’t like slice of life and sad films to go watch the Disney Channel.) I liked the film.”
“The bond between brothers set up by the promise of the mother was unbreakable. They felt totally responsible for each other and loved each other.”
“Nice how Frank had such high morals for Annie.”
"Hard to take, but that’s how America was in the 1990’s, and I don’t think it’s changed much at all. Depression, poverty, the uneducated and alcohol abuse are rampant still today. Which I guess is what the film is trying to point out."
“A difficult film to follow. Subject matter has been used so many times. The ending was inappropriate.”
“Great art work, but very sad. The film had no redemption.”
“The best part of this film is the end credits, not simply because it was thankfully the end but, also because the line drawings and animation and music were quite pleasing. Thank god there is at last something to be commended (but to sit for the proceeding 80 minutes is asking far too much of the audience, really it is).”
“Longest 85 minutes!”
“Raw images more than a story. Downtrodden Americana. Ugly reality escaping through magical storytelling. The hopeful ending seemed out of place.”
“Excellent characters in search of a plot. I had no sense of any hope or dreams.”
“Animation and cinematography were great. The merging of animation and reality was wonderful. Great character development. Hard lives, hard to watch at times.”
“I wound up liking this movie a lot. The acting saved it. The Tyson fight is famous.”
“Great artwork, stories and animation. Finally the brother dies releasing Frank to have his own life.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
Like the website implies, this is the "real" site of Mike Smith, the artist who did the animation in THE MOTEL LIFE. His work is also featured in CHARLOTTE'S WEB and the ever so popular NATURAL BORN KILLERS. Check out some of his videos and pictures, especially my favorite: Futurama, and read his story.
The other night on Alec Baldwin's new late night show "Up Late", he discusses the experience of working with director Stanley Kubrick with actors Gary Lockwood and Keir Dullea. Enjoy Alec's very humorous impersonations and accents.
http://www.msnbc.com/up-late/watch/in-awe-of-working-with-stanley-kubric...
Is it true? There are no blue collar jobs left? Earlier this year, Sophie Quinton of The Atlantic looked into the statistics of blue collar America.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/06/this-is-the-way-blue...
And finally.....
Was anyone else curious about the price of living in a motel? How did they afford it?
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/staying-hotel-motel-cheaper-renting-apartme...
