PIC of the Week – Bad Times at The El Royale
Article series by Ray Schillaci
Not much to report on this week. So, I had to go back to last week and give a nod to Fox Home Entertainment’s 4K of writer/director Drew Goddard’s homage to film noir with the very quirky Bad Times at the El Royale. Now, I guess some critics expected more from the man that gave us the gonzo Cabin in the Woods, but I was pleasantly surprised at many of the twists and turns. Some may be put off by the mixed bag of stories that eventually and loosely tie together along with the several flashbacks and flash forwards, but the talented Goddard and his highly capable cast kept me entertained throughout its 2h and 21min running time.
Attempting to keep this review spoiler free, I’m going to have to leave a whole hell of a lot out so you the reader can be as surprised as I was with the impact of some very crucial scenes. So, how do I approach reviewing this film? Very, very bad things have been going on for well over ten years at the highly unusual guest lodge, the El Royale, that sits directly on the border of California and Nevada. Sex and murder are just part of the brew that gets stirred in this pot boiler, that was once a hot bed for the likes of Sinatra, his Rat Pack, and Marilyn Monroe to just name a few.
Since its fictional inception in, I believe, ‘59, the El Royale had been a notorious hang out, and shadowy government entities that were well aware of that used it to their advantage. Flash forward to 1969 where one past incident will set in motion a whirlwind of violence that will involve a wannabe singer, an obnoxious vacuum salesman, a possible hooker, a young bizarre bellman/manager, and a charismatic Manson-like leader. We will eventually get to know each one and their surprising intentions, and we may end up liking those we never thought we would ever care about. That’s what is so cool about writer/director Goddard’s latest opus of insanity.
Bad Times reminds me of many films that have limited settings with all of its characters in danger of never getting out alive, from the 1945 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s And Then there Were None to Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. Goddard’s film also has the same giddy, unraveling, and mysterious feeling that he displayed in Cabin in the Woods, sans the monsters. This time the monsters are human, and more unnerving.
Performances are top notch. Jeff Bridges gives us a very different take on a priest that is both slimy and sympathetic. Cynthia Erivo captures our heart, making a smooth transition from Broadway to the big screen as Darlene Sweet, a struggling singer. Not only does she get to display her pipes, but she also gives us a great three dimensional character that demands respect, is full of strength, yet insecure with her talent. Jon Hamm is delightfully dastardly as the obnoxious vacuum cleaner salesman? Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. Dakota Johnson gets to strut her stuff as the possible hooker that does not take sh*t from anyone. Lewis Pullman as the jittery bellman/manager that holds all the secrets of the El Royale gives us a surprising turn as does Chris Hemsworth as the charismatic cult leader who goes from charming to downright unnerving within minutes. Goddard’s cast is so integral in the story as much as the design of the El Royale itself. The two intertwine beautifully, almost in an operatic way with one hell of a crescendo.
Visually, Bad Times‘ 4K is a mixed bag. It reminds me of the recent Solo release. Nowhere near as dark. But, there are these muted colors in certain scenes that are intentional, but at the same time do not cry out to be viewed on 4K. Then, there are specific scenes that do pop and make you sit up and admire that 2160p picture with the 2.39:1 ratio.
Audio, on the other hand, is completely immersive and may have you forget whatever qualms you may have with the picture. Gunshots will have you jumping out of your couch while the incredible soundtrack may get you dancing on the floor. All this, and still dialogue is never at a loss. Kudos out to the sound engineers.
Extras are sparse, and only on the Blu. Perhaps at some future date Criterion can deem this film exceptional enough to provide it with a presentation that includes some hefty supplemental material. in the meantime, this is what you get:
• Making Bad Time at the El Royale (less than a half hour of behind the scenes)
• Gallery
• Trailers
Yeah, I know. Disappointing. Shame on Fox Home Entertainment. But, this does not diminish the power of Goddard, cast and crew. I have not been this entertained since Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. I’d say give this a rental, and if you deem it worthy, run out and add it to your collection as I eventually will.
Best Price – $23.30 – Amazon
