Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods, The Martian, World War Z) writes and directs, for the second time, to bring us ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’; a movie about bad people doing bad things in a bad place.
From the very beginning, ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ lays out what it is in thick helpings. Following a solitary car, we see that we’re in the middle of nowhere America, and ‘It’s Your Thing’ by the Isley Brothers joyfully tells us what kind of person to expect as it bubbles from the stereo – “it’s your thing, do what you wanna do, I can’t tell you, who to sock it to”. Excellent!
The central premise is that of a hotel – the El Royale – that’s split through the middle by the California-Nevada state line. This creates the unique dynamic where drinking is allowed one side and gambling the other. Or, more poetically, “weather on the west, hope in the east”. As with the various characters that converge on the El Royale for the bad times, the hotel also has a past that’s drawn out as things progress.
This jump off is the movies cue to begin its setup and introduction of all the main characters. There are seven of them (eight if we’re being kind) so strap in, this is gonna take the whole first act. Each individual is fleshed out as they appear in the present, and then via revealing flashbacks. Whilst this is a common technique (think of every Quentin Tarantino movie you’ve seen, and even those you haven’t), seven people and fourteen expositions is a lot for a two and a bit hour movie, especially when that run time already feels overly long. We’re left assuming it was a decision taken to give depth but, ultimately, it leaves the movie a touch shallow.
With so many characters, the stall is set out and it’s here where the movie will live or die. Whilst we’re given too many characters to absorb (much like 2003’s ‘Identity’, though less schizophrenia) those that shine really pop off the screen. Jon Hamm, ostensibly playing Laramie Seymour Sullivan, relishes the opportunity to lay on a thick accent and is at his most fun since his turn in Baby Driver. He brings the menacing charisma that made his name and is seen less than it should. If he’s to be the next Batman, as he’s made known he’d like too, it’s this slice of Hamm that will be needed.
Equally, the criminally underused Nick Offerman brings flashes with the screen time he’s given, and Jeff Bridges as Father Daniel Flynn is at his rumbling best whilst embracing a character where his age is integral instead of downplayed. Side note; more than most, Jeff Bridges has brilliantly allowed himself to transition into older roles as he nears his seventies – Crazy Heart, True Grit, Hell or High Water. How wonderful it would be for audiences if female actors were more often offered the same option.
However, the true driving force of the movie is Cynthia Erivo as Darleen Sweet. A relative newcomer to the silver screen having previously been a star of the stage, Erivo is understated magnificence as the (abused) emotional core of the movie and its main source of strength. Invariably, she’s how we view proceedings, she’s our moral compass. This notion is emphasised by visual queues, such as a see-through raincoat and wallet, that highlight her transparency and allow us to give her our trust. She’s not without surprises though, more than any other, her only crime is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Whilst these characters are the beating heart of ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ they also highlight its key flaw. We’re given seven characters (eight if we’re being kind) and only half leave a lasting impression (sorry, Chris).
Drew Goddard is clearly a talented writer/director, but we’re left feeling he prizes characters over story, which is shame. There’s a great movie in here but, unfortunately, this was an occasion where we needed less bad times and a little more El Royale.
By Ryan Goodyear
18th October 2018