July 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Film Review: Bad Times at the El Royale

FILM REVIEW
BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE
Rated R
120 Minutes
Released October 12th

Wow! From the jet black soundless screen that begins this movie, to the emotionally explosive end, get ready to be completely drawn into a tornado of wild twists and turns inhabited by rich, intense and colorful larger-than-life characters who all come together at the El Royale, a once-bustling, now dilapidated resort in Lake Tahoe. This is a poetic symphony of life, a moody, creative concoction of characters and conversation – a real “trip!”

Writer/director Drew Godard is a master of cinema, one of the best writer/directors working today. His background is in television writing (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel). He has even written for comic books. He “gets” the medium of film in a way seldom seen. There are lines that will become part of our lexicon, such as “I know men like you – they never stop talking.” Or “I’ve done horrible things.” “So has everybody. Shit happens. Get the whiskey.”

The camera angles, the colors, the dialogue and silences, the movement of the camera and most emphatically the use of music all come together to make this movie the total experience that it is.

The actors also add to the excellence of this work of art. The characters Godard has written are an incredibly fascinating mélange of the most dramatic elements of humanity. You will find yourself drawing conclusions about who these people are, only to be surprised by what lies behind their outward personalities. No one is who they seem, and all of them are true to their real identity in the end. They are all much more complex and unique than the personalities they present to the world, which may be a common trait for most of us.

And the acting…Jeff Bridges can say more in two seconds with the transformation of the look of his eyes and his subtle expressions than most actors can convey in a ten-minute dissertation. Darlene Sweet, portrayed beautifully by the talented Cynthia Erivo, sings her way through the film. Her voice becomes an integral tool in the manipulations initiated by the characters to outwit one another. Jon Hamm finds the humor in Laramie Seymour Sullivan and keeps it bubbling under the surface. Chris Hemsworth excels at playing a character completely against type. Lewis Pullman (son of Bill) is riveting as Miles, the (supposedly) mild-mannered hotel manager. Dakota Johnson lets her sweetness mask her rage as Emily Summerspring. Music plays anintegral role in this movie – it’s not just a sound track. A jukebox becomes a leading character.

This is on the surface a period piece from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. The color, the location and the music are skillfully recreated to the time. However the story is universal. “Bad Times at the El Royale” is another movie that will go down in film history. It’s a poetic symphony of life populated with characters that will live on in the minds of everyone who sees it. The film also puts life, faith, art, abuse and war into perspective on a larger scale.

Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people.She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com

in News
<>Related Posts

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Park: “Our Water Infrastructure Must Be Emergency-Ready Every Day”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Councilwoman expressed cautious relief at the news but emphasized the need for robust infrastructure The Los Angeles Department of Water...

Washington Square Pizza Opens to the Public

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

New York Style Pizza “By-The-Slice” Now at the Beach By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza formally opened its doors today...

California Allocates $5B for Road Repairs, Transit Expansion

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The funding aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner transportation California is investing nearly $5 billion...