Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Jeff Goldblum, Brian Tyree Henry, Jenny Slate, Zachery Quinto, Charlie Day, Dave Bautista, Kenneth Choi.
It is almost impossible to hold antipathy towards Jodie Foster, there is no rhyme or reason to look at her contribution to the art of cinema as nothing less than favourable and with some incredible memories along the way, from Taxi Driver through films such as Bugsy Malone, The Accused, the unforgettable performance as Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, and even in 1993’s Sommersby, Jodie Foster has sealed her reputation as an actor of outstanding quality, she has been one of the industry’s most forthright and passionate of spokeswomen.
Even when the films have not been eye-catching, falling foul over their creation or story-line, then it is still verging on the ridiculous to think of this survivor of the craft as anything other than someone deserving of her awards and plaudits.
Hotel Artemis sees the return of Ms. Foster to the cinema screen after a five-year hiatus and as beaten down, alcoholic character, The Nurse, she again proves that her time on screen is positive and productive and in this particular film, illuminating. As always, such moments can also be assigned to the way in which the director and writer have constructed the character, the devastation they leave in their wake when breaking the rules they themselves have placed set in stone.
Drew Pearce’s Hotel Artemis takes the dystopian rule and makes you believe that it is possible to see such hatred inflicted upon the wider public domain; you believe it is possible, that riots can happen and a city becomes a war zone because it is on the verge of happening every day. Ask the people of Flint whose very basic water supply has been tainted, corrupted by fracking, enlarge that poisonous barbarity towards community and you have unmitigated disaster, water, the essence of basic provision is not, and should never be, a commodity for sale.
In the middle of a such a riot, a heroine can emerge, one battered and broken, full of anxiety, meek, small, almost unnoticeable, except to the right people, and The Nurse is that type of heroine, one whose demons shattered her belief, but who ultimately made her strong enough to cope with looking after criminals when they were shot or beaten.
The premise of the film is not a far step from where we are now, a world on the edge and one perhaps where the criminals have the best odds of surviving and with superb performances from Jodie Foster, Jeff Goldblum and Sterling K. Brown, Hotel Artemis is the surprise film of the year, the one you dream of coming out of nowhere, gritty, suspenseful and passionate, you cannot ask for much more.
Ian D. Hall