'Hotel Room' was a made-for-cable anthology mini-series created by David Lynch and Monty Montgomery (best known to me as the deeply sinister Cowboy from Mulholland Drive (2001)) which didn't get beyond the first three episodes. The critical reaction to the series was pretty negative and so HBO didn't take the project any further. From the perspective of today the most significant thing about 'Hotel Room' now is that two of its three parts were directed by Lynch and written by Barry Gifford, the director/writing team who devised Wild at Heart (1990) and Lost Highway (1997). The other instalment was directed by the unheralded James Signorelli who directed the (rather fun) Elvira movie.When you take into account especially that Lynch and Gifford team up here, it has to be said that the results have to be considered somewhat disappointing. Neither the writing nor the direction seemed particularly good in their segments, while Signorelli's was poor also. The basic idea has the action in each episode occurring in the same hotel room but in differing years, in 1936, 1969 and 1992. It seems especially unfortunate that this wasn't a lot better really, as the potential is undeniable. The set-up is one which invites a lot of scope for creativity seeing as so many different characters and situations could be used in each episode. The recent British series 'Inside No.9' in fact shows brilliantly how such an idea can be used to devise something inventive and original. But as it is, Hotel Room definitely falls short and I can sort of understand why it wasn't recommissioned. No episode truly stood out for me as all felt under par in at least some way. You could probably argue that the final one 'Blackout' had at least a bit more atmosphere and overall purpose but it I did find even it somewhat uninvolving overall. The other two episodes felt a bit pointless and directionless. It seems to exist now in the form of an anthology film with all the episodes running together. It is still an interesting enough watch for the most part, especially if you like the work of Lynch but the overall feeling is that, with better writing especially, this could have led to something more.

The first part of Hotel Room is complete perfection. The first time I viewed this piece I knew I had just witnessed something amazing, but like many other of Lynch's pieces it would require a second viewing. It has been two years and I have watched the first part over 50 times. I have showed this film to about 40 people. Thirty of them get it, ten are baffled. We recite quotes and facial expressions from Moe and Lou on a daily basis. Some of my favorites are "The Sh*t Moe, The Sh*t" "I know about crucial, Moe", and "It's not every hooker from New York that can do a cheer like that let me tell you." This is the most comical Lynch piece I have ever seen, Let me tell you. The humor is varied but does have a underlying consistent form which is crucial. All in all this movie is the Sh*t Moe the Sh*t!

I just read the other review that is posted for this film. I agree that the second episode is fairly terrible, but I would like to add that David Lynch did not write or have involvement with that one. The first episode is quite amazing, but it's the third one that I personally like. It's intelligent and it's got some of the best acting I've ever seen. Crispin Glover is amazing in the episode, and I think it's unfortunate that both him and Lynch didn't receive critical acclaim for being a part of such an amazing project. The third episode is not accessible to everyone, but I urge everyone to at least see the first one.

The first episode of the trilogy is classic David Lynch fare with a stand-out Harry Dean Stanton performance, the second is a god-awful mess of a piece directed by the acclaimed director of the Elvira movie. Fast-forward this mistake (commissioned by HBO so that they would have a "feature-length anthology") The final part is one of the finest pieces of acting and directing that I've ever seen. I'm a Lynch fan, but nothing could prepare me for a story where Crispin Glover is the sane, voice of reason. Alicia Witt is a marvelous actress who shines in this terrifying role. Kudos to Crispin's restraint. A great hour