Hotel de Love

The actors who played the brothers in this film really make it. The old guy who played the piano in the hotel was brilliant. His facial expressions are priceless!

The ending is just what the doctor ordered!

Twin brothers fall in love with the same woman (Burrows) as teens. Fast forward ten years and they own a honeymoon retreat, encounter their old flame who has come for her wedding, and attempt to pick up where they left off in spite of the presence of the groom. What follows in the denouement is a bit clumsy and awkward at times with low end production value and relatively unknown actors. However, factor in some side characters and an ample helping of vintage pop love songs and you have a mildly amusing little flick with some heart which should make an okay small screen watch for those in the mood for romcom fare. Keep expectations real and enjoy. (C+)

First of all, it was made by Australians, so they all have neat accents! The setting is eccentric yet fun. This film was particularly enjoyable because of the interplay between the two brothers, Rick and Stephen. Although they begin as total opposites, the beauty of the drama truly arises and they become more like each other.

Most Australian comedies that I have seen have disappointed me because their seemingly mandatory quirkiness is instantly supposed to be funny. For me at least, weird behaviour does not necessarily equal big laughs. "Hotel de Love" seemed to be a little less quirky, and perhaps that is why I liked it. That is not to say that this is without flaws, for it has one big one. But even though this film spends too much time showing the LEAST interesting couple, the other relationships are sufficiently interesting to overcome this mistake. I can't call this anything great, but it is certainly a pleasant way to kill some time.

An interesting story completely spoiled by one ridiculous scene after another, with dialogue and acting to match. I love Australian movies, so I wasn't expecting to encounter such a stinker. Whatever humanity there is in the story is constantly spoiled by the characters' embarrassing actions and reactions, which are supposed to be funny. For a really good and witty Australian comedy, watch Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert instead.