The Motel Life (2013)

the audience applauded

A lot of fun.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The Polsky brothers did a great job at bringing to life this intimate tale of two brothers adapted from Willy Vlautin's 2007 novel. Sympathy for the brother characters is rightly earned by two great performances from Emile Hirsch and Stephen Dorff. Having seen Emile in "Into the Wild (2007)", I feel that this style of film definitely suits his own style of acting. Dakota Fanning also add's her own valuable performance to the film, as one of her many stepping stones from the childhood actress we all knew to a young woman with a successful career ahead in her adult years. An intriguing drama that brings with it a sense of being realistic while still at times, managing to pull off brief humor while at other times being emotional. It isn't perfect but it is undeniably a touching movie, by far one of the better films out there and probably a film not seen by enough people.

Directors Alan & Gabe Polsky have offered up for us (the viewers) a tragic soap opera type story that really works from start to finish. What I mean by 'really works' is that this movie tells a sad and dark story very well.The brothers Frank & Jerry Lee are forced, by circumstance, to face life alone at a dangerously young age. Their survival depends on the two of them always being together and in doing so an unbreakable emotional bond develops between them. Having to face growing up alone in this world the influences and direction in their lives are not too wise and they do not always make the right decision. Thus the two hit the road the evade being implicated in a hit and run accident. They are not criminals and they have feeling of guilt. Frank suffers a disability (leg amputation) and is both physically and emotionally dependent on Jerry. Jerry is devoted to Frank and drinks too much booze.This sad and dark mix make for a disturbing yet captivating story that will keep you interested. Alan & Gabe Polsky show us the human vulnerable and needy side of Frank & Jerry and not a angry and hateful side of these two characters. And I believe that is what makes this movie 'cinema art'.

Another unremarkable indie flick with a great cast. It did have some good moments scattered here and there. I usually love these working class movies. I like watching movies about small town American life. But this one was too slight. It seemed to be uninspired. The only interesting moment was during the Tyson boxing match. Anyway, the cartoon bits were very well done. EMILE HIRSCH does a decent job. STEPHEN DORPH does not have much to do. It is a waste of resources actually. KRIS KRISTOFFERSON and DAKOTA FANNING were completely wasted. (5/10)

Gloomy nomads and gloomy Nevada in the 1990's amount to a gloomy viewing experience in The Motel Life. The title clues us well enough: Living any time in a motel could be disastrous for mental health. The movie itself has that kind of despair.Frank Lee (Emile Hirsch) helps wit-challenged brother, Jerry (Stephen Dorff), after the latter kills a boy on a bike and leaves the scene. Together they light out for motels with some imaginative cartoons representing stories Frank tells Jerry Lee throughout their lives. Some critics find the animations distracting; I find them imaginative and boredom reducing.The confusing mash up of past and present (the boys are not much different from what they were) is relieved by Annie (Dakota Fanning), who is serene even in her conflicts. Fanning has grown into an intelligent actress and shows it here. In fact, Frank is fortunate to have such a dear girl improbably waiting for him. Another relief from motel boredom is cops looking for the driver of the lethal car. Add an enjoyable cameo by Kris Kristofferson as Earl Hurley, a car dealer, and the film is momentarily relieved from oblivion. Otherwise, the boys are on the lam and reminiscing while going deeper in debt and guilt.One high point is their winning several thousand dollars betting on Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson. You can guess how wisely they use it. But the money allows them to go to another motel, by now a motif of squalor and loneliness, no surprise to those with limited income and without Marriott points. Changing motels and buying carry out food reinforce the rootless melancholy of these not-too-bright boys. It's tough to care about such nitwits.On a more positive note, cinematographer Roman Vas'yanov captures the bleak winter landscape using film, not digits. It's possible to see how much more imposing the winter can be with old-fashioned celluloid. Just consider what Hitchcock achieves with that old Bates Motel. Now that's not dull.