Hotel Mumbai

Hotel Mumbai is a gripping and heartrending thriller released in 2018, directed by Anthony Maras. The film features a strong international cast led by Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, and Nazanin Boniadi, who seamlessly transport audiences into the fraught and frantic scenario that unfolded in the city of Mumbai in 2008. The movie, told with a nuanced and sensitive touch, does not shy away from the dark reality of terrorism, but also offers profound glimpses of humanity, courage, and altruism in the face of unimaginable terror.

Based on true events, Hotel Mumbai reconstructs the dreadful terror attacks that took place in November 2008 when the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of the most prestigious hotels in the Indian city of Mumbai, was sieged by a group of Pakistani militants. The movie brilliantly encapsulates the terrifying 68-hour ordeal where guests and staff were held hostage, exposing them to relentless danger and fear.

Dev Patel, widely recognized for his earlier work in Slumdog Millionaire, portrays Arjun, a dedicated hotel staff member at the Taj. Patel brings a compelling and emotive depth to his character. Arjun is an impoverished husband and father who embodies the spirit of selfless service, the bone-deep commitment to customer care that the Taj is famed for.

Armie Hammer plays David, an American guest at the hotel with his wife Zahra, portrayed by Nazanin Boniadi. The couple is often constrasted to Arjun: they are wealthy, young parents traveling with their newborn and their nanny. The film pivots around these primary characters and due to excellent performances by Hammer and Boniadi, audiences can viscerally feel the horror and despair as they try to protect their small family.

The film skillfully blends the grim tension of these events with snippets of the mundane, reminding the audience that the victims were, until mere moments ago, ordinary people leading ordinary lives. In the face of terror, they must find extraordinary strength and resilience.

The character development in Hotel Mumbai is striking. As the attack begins, the audience sees a range of personalities: an arrogant Russian millionaire, a devoutly religious sikh, a newly-wed couple, and a self-effacing but dedicated chef. As the situation intensifies, these characters shed their initial personas, revealing the strength and determination underneath. This film shows that in times of great crisis, heroes can emerge from the most unlikely of places.

In its retelling of terror, Hotel Mumbai doesn’t veer off into gratuitous violence or action hero clichés. Instead, it handles the brutal reality of this horrifying event with a respectability that is owed to the victims and survivors, taking care not to sensationalize their suffering.

The attacking terrorists are not offered as mere one-dimensional villains. Without justifying their horrendous actions, the film provides a glimpse into the manipulation and indoctrination they undergo, further expounding the bleakness of the situation.

The direction by Anthony Maras is worthy of commendation. He beautifully walks the tightrope of representing a horrifying event with due gravity, while also avoiding creating a movie that is too heavy to watch. His direction also enhances the performance of his actors, aiding them in portraying their characters' emotions vividly.

Cinematographer Nick Remy Matthews makes use of low-lit settings and tight corners to amplify the atmosphere of fear and claustrophobia inside the hotel. The film editing, special effects, and sound design also deserve mention, as these elements were flawlessly employed to create a relentless sense of urgency and danger.

Hotel Mumbai is a thought-provoking depiction of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel siege. It takes multiple perspectives into account, exploring not just the physical ordeal of those involved, but also their emotional and psychological states. It’s a haunting reminder of the horrifying reality of terrorism, but also a poignant tribute to the tenacity, bravery, and kindness of individuals in the face of such terror.

Though not an easy watch by any means, Hotel Mumbai is a masterfully crafted film that's an elegy and testament to the human spirit. Audiences who appreciate intense, emotional stories that resonate with real-world events will find the film a powerful experience. Above all, Hotel Mumbai is an important cinematic contribution that ensures the world remembers a tragic chapter of history and the heroes who emerged from it.