A New Year to Remember
Normally around the New Year period I end up watching “Four Rooms”, because it is set on New Year’s Eve and it’s filled with strange and entertaining stories. Sadly enough, when this movie was released back in 1995, it wasn’t as successful as hoped and was pretty much ignored – which is a shame, because it’s a great little movie.
“Four Rooms” is about Ted the Bellboy (Tim Roth), who has been left on his own to run the hotel on New Year’s Eve and how he copes with four very demanding rooms.
The first story, written and directed by Allison Anders, is “The Missing Ingredient” starring Madonna and Lily Taylor, who meet up with the rest of their coven to try and bring back their goddess who was turned to stone. However, one of the witches didn’t bring her ingredient and needs Ted to help her out.
The second story “The Wrong Man” was written and directed by Alexandre Rockwell. At the beginning of this story there is a quirky cameo by Tarantino’s producer Lawrence Bender, who also appears a little later in the story saying “Ice”. “The Wrong Man” isn’t one of my favourite stories, but it is very unusual as Ted gets stuck with a crazed couple. The problem here lies with two things – the fact that the comedic timing/chemistry is a little iffy/off with the three actors, and that the writing doesn't come off like it's naturally funny. Some of the tension from Roth brings a few laughs, but not enough to compensate for the uncomfortable atmosphere around the whole segment.
The last two stories are by far the best. Robert Rodriguez’s “The Misbehaviours” is crazy, but in a good way. Antonio Banderas plays the no-nonsense father who insists that Ted babysits his kids, while he goes out with his wife. However, these two kids are quite a handful – the little boy has killer expressions. I won’t give too much away, but the final scene will stay with you forever, it cracks me up every time. Rodriguez cast this so well, and his timing is perfect.
Which brings us to the last story “The Man From Hollywood”. I think it's safe to say that Quentin Tarantino never disappoints as a director or screenwriter, and this story is no exception. Tarantino takes on two sources of inspiration – Roald Dahl's "Man from the South" short story, and a later translation through Alfred Hitchcock's television show. Tarantino plays the charming and lovable film-maker Chester Rush who makes a bet with his friend. Bruce Willis is one of the witnesses and Jennifer Beals (she was in “The Wrong Man) re-appears. Chester’s friend claims he can light his cigarette lighter ten times in a row to win Chester’s car, however if he doesn’t succeed Chester wins his pinkie finger. Chester needs someone to be the dice man and to save Chester being traumatised by cutting his friend’s finger off, should he win, he asks Ted to do it for $1.000. So, will Ted accept $1.000 for one minute’s worth of work?
Tim Roth does a wonderful job in this movie, he practically carries the whole film. He retains his good-natured lovability the entire time and he'll have you rooting for him to the very end.
By Amy Thomas
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