Is Grand Hotel Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Grand Hotel, a standout production of 2017, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Modern Cinema landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into "Grand Hotel" is a musical set in 1928 Berlin, depicting the varied lives of guests at a luxury hotel over a day-and-a-half. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Modern Cinema are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: ""Grand Hotel" is a musical set in 1928 Berlin, depicting the varied lives of guests at a luxury hotel over a day-and-a-half. The Broadway production that opened in 1989 with Tommy Tune as director-choreographer earned rave reviews and went on to win five Tony Awards. The same show was later put on in London and Berlin as well. Suzukaze Mayo led the Moon Troupe in the Takarazuka Revue's 1993 production of "Grand Hotel." Tommy Tune was invited to direct and choreograph this Takarazuka version, which went on to win high acclaim. The Takarazuka Revue has invited Tommy Tune, who won the Special Tony Award at the 69th Tony Awards in 2015 for his many years of achievement, to serve as special supervisor as "Grand Hotel" returns to the stage at the outset of 2017, when the Moon Troupe's top star, Tamaki Ryou, will make her Takarazuka Revue debut."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Ryo Tamaki does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Ikuta Hirokazu is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 99 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Grand Hotel truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Modern Cinema, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Grand Hotel explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Ikuta Hirokazu respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Grand Hotel is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Ryo Tamaki or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Grand Hotel is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.