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Hotel by the River

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Hotel by the River

Released Feb 15, 2019

1h 35m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

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45 Reviews

69%

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

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

Dec 30, 2019

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Justin Chang

Los Angeles Times

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

Dec 18, 2019

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Andrew Chan

Film Comment Magazine

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

Mar 21, 2019

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CJ Sheu

The News Lens International

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

May 24, 2024

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Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

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.

Jan 4, 2023

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Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Episode 41: Best of 2019 So Far

Rated: 72/100

Oct 4, 2021

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don k

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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dave d

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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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

Kyung-soo

Yoo Jun-sang

Byung-soo

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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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