Hotelier
An incident in the past causes Ogata Kouhei (Tanabe Seiichi) to resign his position and leave the country in shame. Now, at the hotel's 30th anniversary, the hotel is facing a crisis; the president has just been submitted to the hospital, and the hotel is facing a potential takeover. Under his request, assistant manager Odagiri Kyoko (Ueto Aya) goes to Korea in order to convince Kouhei to return. Kyoko is caught up in an incident when her purse is stolen when she meets Mizusawa Keigo (Oikawa Mitsuhiro), who tries to help her. Ultimately, Kyoko comes back to Japan unsuccessful. However, under the advice from Korean hotel manager Shin Dong Hyuk (Bae Yong Jun), Kouhei returns to Tokyo Ocean Hotel as the position of the new general manager. Upon his return however, Kyoko once again meets Mizusawa Keigo. Little does Kyoko know, not only does Keigo want to take over the Tokyo Ocean Hotel, but he also carries affections for her.
Insights
Plot Summary
A man returns to his family's hotel after a period of absence, only to find himself embroiled in a complex web of relationships and unsettling events. As he navigates the peculiar dynamics of the hotel staff and guests, his own sanity and grip on reality begin to fray.
Critical Reception
Hotelier received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its unique and unsettling atmosphere, as well as its strong performances. However, some found the film's narrative to be opaque and its bleak tone challenging.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its distinctive visual style and unsettling mood.
- Noted for strong performances, particularly from the lead.
- Criticized by some for an ambiguous and difficult-to-follow narrative.
Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This film marked an early directorial effort by Yorgos Lanthimos, who would later gain international acclaim for films like 'The Lobster' and 'The Favourite'.
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