Hotel by the River

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Hotel by the River

2019

1h 35m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

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45 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Convinced he's on the verge of death, an aging poet invites his two bickering sons to an isolated hotel for a final goodbye.

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Critics Consensus

Hotel by the River finds writer-director Hong Sang-soo revisiting familiar themes from fresh perspectives -- and telling a story that potently distills his unique creative strengths.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Dec 30, 2019

Hong Sang-soo was the most reliable auteur of the decade...

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Justin Chang

Los Angeles Times

Dec 18, 2019

It's an explosive, soul-baring display from a filmmaker who hasn't lost - and indeed, may be rediscovering - his capacity for surprise.

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Andrew Chan

Film Comment Magazine

Mar 21, 2019

For all its solemn beauty, Hotel by the River is lax and under-imagined compared to Hong's masterpieces.

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CJ Sheu

The News Lens International

May 24, 2024

So that’s the plot, and it only exists so that the characters can hold forth on gender dynamics in the second act. But before that, we get to luxuriate in the muted winter beauty of the river scenery, accentuated by the crisp black-and-white digital image

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Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

Jan 4, 2023

Both of this year’s productions are in black-and-white, always a reliable indicator that Hong’s in a heavy mood; I don’t necessarily mind that, but Hotel by the River struck me as lugubrious.

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Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Oct 4, 2021

72/100

Episode 41: Best of 2019 So Far

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don k

@RT91543574 Feb 14, 2020

supple direction masterfully controlled. cinematography is straightforward and unpretentious despite being b&w. A throwback to 60s and 70s Europeans.

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dave d

@RT34924333 Feb 2, 2020

While there is no doubt Hong Sang-soo's latest is beautiful, it failed to grab me and left me bored at times. Filmed in black and white, 'Hotel by the River' is on the nose and the backdrop for a self-fulfilling story of a poet living for free in a hotel who wants to see his two sons because he thinks he's going to die despite not being ill in any way. Along the way he meets a couple of women and boredom ensues. The plot is just too thin, despite really good acting and moments for each to shine. This one left me empty. 6.1/10

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Mar 8, 2019

Vapid. Not even worth the time to write a thoughtful review.

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Sachin E

@sachineldho Nov 16, 2018

Great cinematography and direction except at some places when the camera zooms unnecessarily. I loved the snow in black and white, it created good contrast between the people with black dress and the surroundings. The movie is so realistic and beautiful.

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Hong Sang-soo

Director

Ki Joo-bong

Young-hwan

Kim Min-hee

Ah-reum

Song Seon-mi

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Kwon Hae-hyo

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Yoo Jun-sang

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Hotel by the River: Trailer 1

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Hotel by the River: TIFF Trailer

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Synopsis

Convinced he's on the verge of death, an aging poet invites his two bickering sons to an isolated hotel for a final goodbye.

Director: Hong Sang-soo
Screenwriter: Hong Sang-soo
Distributor: Cinema Guild
Production Co: Jeonwonsa Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 15, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.8K
Runtime: 1h 35m

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