The Million Dollar Hotel is a 2000 drama film directed by Wim Wenders and written by Bono of U2 and Nicholas Klein. The film is set in Los Angeles and tells the story of a group of peculiar residents living in the titular hotel and their interactions with a troubled detective investigating the death of one of the residents.
The film opens with the apparent suicide of Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies), a resident of the Million Dollar Hotel, who jumps from the roof of the building. Detective Skinner (Mel Gibson) is called to investigate the death, which leads him to interview the other residents of the hotel, including Geronimo (Jimmy Smits), Dixie (Milla Jovovich), and the wheelchair-bound Izzy (Peter Stormare).
As Skinner delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a conspiracy involving corrupt business partners, a missing pop star, and a dangerous drug known as "Yellow." Meanwhile, the residents of the Million Dollar Hotel continue their bizarre and often surreal existence, engaging in activities such as arguing about the nature of the universe and starting a punk rock band.
Throughout the film, flashbacks and dream sequences provide insight into the characters' backstories and motivations. One such sequence shows the hotel's eccentric owner, Mr. Nobody (Tim Roth), explaining his philosophy of life to Tom Tom and how it led him to create the unusual establishment.
The film's stunning visuals, unconventional narrative structure, and eclectic soundtrack (featuring music by U2, Anouk, and Tito Larriva) reflect its artistic origins as a collaboration between Bono and Wenders. Despite mixed reviews, The Million Dollar Hotel remains an intriguing and thought-provoking exploration of love, death, and the human condition.