Motel Room, directed by Bradford Lipson, is based on screenwriter Sahag Gureghian’s life. When he turned 14, Gureghian’s father took him to a sex worker. The boy was reluctant to go, but the event left him feeling truly seen for the first time. Does the short drama impart that same sense to audiences?
Sebastian (Sebastian Rosero) is nervous as he enters the motel room. The sex worker, Crystal (Tammy Kaitz), does everything she can to make the teenager feel at home. He wants to leave his shirt — no big deal. But once the pants are off, Sebastian locks himself in the bathroom, exclaiming that he cannot do this. So, Crystal talks to the boy, slowly bringing down his, and her, walls in the process.
The opening shot of Motel Room is a close-up of a long drag off of a lit cigarette. While it is a very noir feeling, what it really does is establish the room as its own character. The boxy television playing the news of Freddie Mercury’s death and the hazy lighting from the table lamp adds an ambient glow to the proceedings. It feels a bit musky, but there’s still a warmth present; this is most notable after Sebastian comes out of the bathroom.
“…once the pants are off, Sebastian locks himself in the bathroom…”
The strong directing is really the icing on the cake. The heart of the story lies in the interaction between Crystal and Sebastian. The dialogue is realistic and flows naturally. Yes, the reason behind Sebastian’s anxiousness is easy to figure out, but that is hardly the point. The point is that these two wayward souls share this fleeting moment together that leaves a lasting impression.
The real draw is the acting. There’s a scene when Sebastian tells Crystal, “she’s pretty.” The way Kaitz delivers her reply, “I haven’t been pretty in years,” is heartbreaking. Rosero is so tender and sweet, especially at the end, that he makes viewers wish the best for his character. It certainly helps that the duo share an excellent, easygoing chemistry.
Motel Room is a sweet film about an enduring moment in its writer’s life. Lipson directs with confidence, and Kaitz and Rosero cause audiences to feel deep empathy for their characters. If anyone out there feels as if no one will ever understand them, this little indie film proves that isn’t the case, even if that person is not who you’d expect it to be.
Motel Room screened at the 2024 Seattle Film Festival.
"…a sweet film about an enduring moment in its writer's life."
