Reviews & Ratings for
Starlight Hotel More at IMDbPro »

5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Wonderful (and unusual) tale, beautifully told., 1 July 2004

Author: gwendress from Denton, Texas

The story is an odyssey, in which the director (Sam Pillsbury) airs his sense of social injustices, but in a reasonably gentle style (although the protest isn't gentle). The film also speaks to us in another age, far removed from depression era, post-WWI, New Zealand, though in fact, very little seems to have actually changed. After all, here in 21st century America, the poor are still being evicted and dumped onto the streets, soldiers are still send to fight and die for dubious (and fictitious) causes, while their veteran's benefits are slashed and their enlistment contracts are ignored. Far too many people must still seek medical help in charity institutions. Yet all the while we have to listen to the insufferable platitudes of officials declaring the wonders of the human condition in this great and wonderful land, while perhaps as many as 20 million American children will go to bed hungry tonight. Somewhere in this (not totally perfect) little treasure is a wry sense of humor between the embittered war-veteran (Peter Phelps) and the runaway teenage girl (Greer Robson, a great beauty, now a bit more grownup than the little girl who played the late and great Bruno Lawrence's daughter in "Smash Palace (1981)", now available on DVD). Their growing affection, in light of their mutual dependence on each other, provides the hint of a love story. I have always been very fond (sentimentally so, I admit) of this almost unknown little film. Unfortunately, now available only on previously viewed videotape, from private sellers (in the USA, see Amazon.com third-party sellers).

5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Journey from an unlikely pair., 18 April 2002
Author: cmyklefty from Philadelphia

I remember see film along time ago on television. A young girl search for her father after he left her looking work in 1930's New Zealand. On her travels meet a man who helps poor families keeping their property, and is a fugitive from justice. All the performances are wonderful and the scenery in New Zealand is beautiful. I highly recommend watching this film. Something not to pass up to see.

6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
You had to be there, 13 April 2005

Author: Cardinal_Rich from Ecosse

One of those films that I look back in with fond memories, but wouldn't stand up to any sort of scrutiny. Only writing this review because someone might read it. Not really much point writing down my thoughts on the Matrix! So Starlight Hotel. Sentimental old claptrap really. But at the same time, everything works out well in the end but it's not what you could call a happy ending. The New Zealand scenery is smashing, and the actors involved give a good performance. The ending really is quite moving, has to rank up there with Johnny Five getting the $#!+ kicked out of him by his two "friends" in Short Circuit 2. So there you have it, my first film review, and nobody any the wiser.

3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
i'm a huge dork, 11 July 2006
Author: caldoni from porltand, or

so when i was eight this film came out. i don't remember much about it. crazy thing: though i remember nothing about it. not even that it was set in new Zealand. i remember liking the characters and believing in whatever their adventure was. i'd grown up watching old films on the weekends with my grandfather and had seen a lot of movies for a kid my age but for some reason watching this film i said: "i have to-have to-make films like this! and i can, i just need the means." well years later i'm an indie-director and have just embarked on the process of actually having one of my scripts optioned and sold... for no reason at all i was walking home tonight from a script meeting and this film popped into my head after nearly 20 years! i plan to rent it soon and will probably be embarrassed by it's quality or lack there of but hey, i think i can say it had a big influence on my journey to wherever i'm going... heh. oh well.

just thought i'd post this before i had the chance to regret it.

3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
good film, 24 May 2003
Author: mattkratz (themattk@hotmail.com) from Richardson, TX

I found this movie to be a really good and uplifting film. It features a couple on the lam from various unjustices in life during depression-era New Zealand and does a good job in all areas, including character development and good and interesting situations. You might like this film if you can find it. I liked it.

*** out of ****

"I thought you said you were staying in a hotel.", 10 May 2010

Author: Steve Skafte from Nova Scotia, Canada

The initial plot set-up for "Starlight Hotel" is virtually identical to that of an American film made two years earlier called "The Journey of Natty Gann". Greer Robson plays young Kate, whose father leaves New Zealand to find work during the Great Depression. After things don't quite work out with being left behind, she decides to find her own way out to meet him. This film isn't quite as well-realized as the aforementioned American production, but it's still an excellent watch for kids. There's two major highlights here - the first is Greer Robson (who I'd liked in "Smash Palace", made six years earlier) who gives a very engaging, natural performance. The second is the vivid and beautiful cinematography by Warrick Attewell.

The major, distracting downside is the music. Instead of making something a little more chronologically appropriate for a film set in the 1930s, Andrew Hagen and Morton Wilson composed a soundtrack full of echoey synths and tickling pop piano. It's rages above the soundtrack like a whore with hideous makeup. It's the only time I've ever heard music that was so bad it came close to sinking an entire film.

There's all the inherent improbabilities one might expect from an adventure story aimed at younger audiences, but it doesn't fly in the face of reality too much. None of the humor is cheap or easy. "Starlight Hotel" is generally a lighthearted film, and by extension, a rather lightweight one as well. I enjoyed a lot. You should too, especially if you watch it with children.

Just beautiful..., 29 June 2008

Author: benj_sp from UK

This is my all-time favourite film, and has been ever since I first saw it back in, I guess, 1990 or so.

From the first note of the music, I knew it was going to be special. I *adore* the soundtrack (music is a big part of films for me, and put me on the path to becoming a musician), the cinematography, the amazing countryside.

It's not particularly complicated in the script department, and actually is quite light on dialog, but it's charming, engaging and beautiful.

It's never going to happen, but I would really love a decent DVD release of this in stereo...

Update: Feb 2012.The New Zealand Film Commission have been buying up the rights to some NZ films for DVD release, and Starlight Hotel is one of them. It appears the DVD is now available from: http://www.screenline.co.nz/catalogue/index.php? main_page=product_info&cPath=1_20&products_id=378

Pal Region 4 release for now. Mine is ordered, and I'll update the review when it arrives.

So if you want to settle into a charming, delightful, innocent little coming of age tale, I can't recommend Starlight Hotel enough. My all-time favourite film. Ever.

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