Watch Hotel Sorrento

Hotel Sorrento, released in 1995, is a thought-provoking and emotional drama by director Richard Franklin, who also adapted the script from Hannie Rayson’s play of the same title. The movie primarily revolves around three sisters who reunite in their hometown of Sorrento, Australia, after a long time. The sisters come together at their childhood home, which now operates as the Hotel Sorrento, and confront their differences and shared history over a weekend.

Caroline Goodall plays Pippa, an acclaimed novelist who has been living in Europe for years. Pippa's return to her hometown sparks a range of emotions in her, such as homesickness and a longing for her past. On the other hand, her sisters - Meg (Tara Morice) and Hilary (Caroline Gillmer) - still live in Sorrento, taking care of their ailing mother who operates the hotel. They have not seen Pippa in years, and her escape from the family to the city has led to conflicts between her and her sisters.

The movie sets the tone of the story through the breathtaking cinematography by Geoff Burton. He captures the serene beauty of Sorrento through the long shots of the ocean and the cliffs, portraying the peacefulness and calmness that are present in the town. The screenplay also involves sharp-witted and humorous dialogues, which balance the dramatic tone of the film.

As the sisters come together, a lot of family problems begin to bubble up. The sisters' mother, played by Joan Plowright, is a sharp-tongued but sickly old lady who makes inappropriate sexual remarks, which the sisters take in stride. The tension between the sisters appears to arise from differences in values and the different paths they have taken in their respective lives.

Pippa, who has had a successful career as a novelist, is used to the city's fast pace and is not comfortable with the slow and relaxed lifestyle of her sisters in Sorrento. Her return to her hometown brings back her childhood memories and her relationship with her father. She is constantly at odds with Hilary, who is a high school English teacher and a feminist activist. Pippa believes her sister has an issue with her writing because Hilary doesn't understand the contemporary literature world.

The youngest sister, Meg, who never left Sorrento and has three children, is struggling in her marriage. She finds herself attracted to Troy, played by John Hargreaves, who is a former acquaintance of Pippa's. Troy works as a journalist in Sorrento, and his arrival causes tension and jealousy for Meg's husband, Edwin, played by Robert Menzies.

Hotel Sorrento revolves around the themes of family, identity, and cultural differences. While the sisters seem to have drifted apart, they come together and try to understand one other's perspectives. The conflict that arises between them stems from their differences, but they also share a deep bond that has been united through years of growing up together. The movie delves into the different values and beliefs that each sister has adopted throughout their lives, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their relationships with their own siblings.

Overall, Hotel Sorrento is an emotionally charged movie that illustrates how personal relationships can be complicated and difficult. The movie strikes a balance between humor and drama, with brilliant acting by the cast. The message is clear; life can take us all on different paths, but we all share memories of growing up that have a profound effect on our lives. It's a well-executed movie that's worth watching, and its timeless themes ensure its relevance for generations.

Hotel Sorrento is a 1995 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.