Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageVacancy (2007)
Director: Nimród Antal
Movie review
From Time Out London
When their car breaks down just outside Nowheresville, USA, bickering couple Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale have no alternative but to bed down at the seedy local motel. And…? With a set-up that familiar, a half-decent twist’s clearly required, so, as the couple kick back, hubby finds a seemingly discarded videotape, which reveals that the very room in which they’re staying has been used by the proprietor to shoot snuff movies with understandably unwilling previous guests. Clearly, they’re next in line unless they can outwit their tormentors.Sadly, that’s just about the point where the picture runs out of juice, degenerating into a mechanical exercise in shunting the characters around from set-piece to set-piece, yet, with only two potential victims with which to toy, the story options prove predictably limited. Creepy motel manager Frank Whaley’s the pick of a relatively able cast, and Hungarian director Nimród Antal (who made the stylish ‘Kontroll’ in Budapest) throws the camera around with abandon, but all concerned are on a hiding to nothing since the material’s so flimsy and underdeveloped. It’s not pretty, but it’s certainly vacant.Author: Trevor Johnston
Time Out London Issue 1921: June 13-19 2007
User reviews of this film
-
- Holly_x said...
- Posted on Aug 20 2007 14:30 This Films Mint Part From Is Scary, I Think Dey Will Bring A numba 2 Out..I Hope
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Leona Luk said...
-
Posted on Aug 12 2007 18:38
I was curious about this film because the standard 'who are they?' cast was not in this - there were actual actors, people we've all heard of populating it, so I decided to take a look.
I found that it's not the standard torture and kill film that has been so popular recently. Instead it's like a chamber drama with some extra blood and guts. There are standard plot elements from the gore films, however within the confines of this film they because something else - tenser, even more realistic to an extent.
For what I expected, this was way better and worth a look. - Report as inappropriate
-
- Hollie..<3 said...
- Posted on Jul 24 2007 10:36 This film is great loved it xx but the ending was a bit crap xx
- Report as inappropriate
-
- caz said...
- Posted on Jul 11 2007 23:09 i thought the film was really good me n ma pal thought it was but my other two pals fought it was rubbish its a really jumpy film.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- happy said...
- Posted on Jul 07 2007 12:50 fantastic script and well acted. completly enjoyed it!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- samuelm said...
- Posted on Jul 05 2007 19:09 rubbish film
- Report as inappropriate
-
- ellie said...
-
Posted on Jul 03 2007 14:03
i thought the film had a few good jumps
scary at times but the film needede a beta ending for them to make a vacancy 2!!!!!!!!!!! - Report as inappropriate
-
- mr x said...
- Posted on Jul 02 2007 02:03 it was apsalute shyte!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- D Richards said...
- Posted on Jul 01 2007 10:52 if your going to do the "murderer in a hotel" film then at least give it a good twist
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Rachel n Rich said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 17:39 Amazin film but needed a better ending x
- Report as inappropriate
-
- kyle, manchester said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 17:16 amazin, unpredictable all the way. couldnt have got a better endin even if it was spielberg.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- anonamous said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 15:12 Was a dedli film bt needed a bta endin..!! x x x x x
- Report as inappropriate
-
- annonamus said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 14:42 i think the fiml wz amazin wud luv 2 wach it gain !! it wz a bit of a rubbish end tho !!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- GAZ said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 12:14 Vacancy Yes there was one in my pocket where the 6 quid was
- Report as inappropriate
-
- GAZ said...
- Posted on Jun 30 2007 12:10 Im sorry it was a total waste of time and money. Very predictive boring and Kates character annoyed the pants off me
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Nimród Antal
Producer: Hal Lieberman
Cast: Luke Wilson, Kate Beckinsale, Frank Whaley, Ethan Embry full cast
Rated: 15
Duration: 85 mins
UK Release: Jun 15 2007
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has Michael Mann lost it?
Adam Lee Davies mourns the passing of a major Hollywood talent as Michael Mann's 'Public Enemies' sees the great director running on empty
Why 'Ice Age 3' is really for adults
Tom Huddleston takes a look at a selection of films which bring adult problems to a pre-teen audience
Is this Summer 2009's best film?
The French filmmaker Claire Denis speaks to Dave Calhoun about her new film, '35 Shots of Rum', a tender portrait of a father-daughter relationship in Paris
The Informant: trailer preview
Steven Soderbergh is at it again, this time with a screwball corporate caper starring Matt Damon called 'The Informant'. View the trailer here...
Rudo y Cursi: interview
Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna talk to Time Out about their highly entertaining new comedy, 'Rudo y Cursi'
An open letter to Peter Morgan
Tom Huddleston penned an open letter to Peter Morgan offering some friendly dos and don'ts for the new Bond movie
Outdoor film screenings in London 2009
Derek Adams offers a guide to the best places to see films outside in London this summer
50 essential sci-fi films
With 'Star Trek' making serious waves, we thought it would be a perfect time to select 50 must-see sci-fi films
What do you think?
Post your review now