Rain on windows, running water on glass shower stalls, a waterfall painting under glass with simulated falling water: this is the unifying visual motif of this film. Almost every shot involves reflections in wet glass, or is shot through a rainy window. In many films, water is used to signify cleansing or purification, but here, people wash, bath, get rained on and do not become clean. Indeed, the wet glass feels more like an oily slick of something sinful or dooming. Four stories play out in succession at the hotel: a couple with commitment issues comes to have sex, a pair of college students arrive to shoot an 'art' film, two strangers who met in a bar come in to get out of the rain and a divorced woman meets an old flame.
All of the stories are sad and fatalistic. People arrive at the hotel with flaws and failings and leave with them intact. Sex is a temporary distraction which leads nowhere and changes nothing. This is the film's message and the stories are well written and acted but the downbeat tone makes for a somewhat difficult viewing experience.
All of the stories are sad and fatalistic. People arrive at the hotel with flaws and failings and leave with them intact. Sex is a temporary distraction which leads nowhere and changes nothing. This is the film's message and the stories are well written and acted but the downbeat tone makes for a somewhat difficult viewing experience.