Motel Cactus

"Within limitations one will find true mastership", as the saying goes, and boy, does it fit the bill here ! Cut into 4 episodes which, on first look, are but loosely connected, and set in but one room, 407 of Motel Cactus, this film is pretty much boxed in from the outset.

Performance of the actors and the camera-work are so breathtakingly wonderful though, that these limitations become strong points ! Mood is instantaneously created and crawls under the viewer's skin; the joys and sorrows of the different characters hits home immediately.

Cinematographer Christopher Doyle refuses to see any limits here, and opens up his magic box completely: focus pulls, blinking lights, mirror shots, subtle play with shadows and burning out light sources, hand-held camera-work ... Anything goes and this creates an exciting setting for the small yet strong peeks into the lives of the visitors of Room 407 of Motel Cactus.