Across the Hall (2009) Noir Hotel

Sleeper Neo Noir that's surprisingly entertaining, well made, and very interesting to look at. Directed competently and stylishly by Alex Merkin who, to quote IMDb is "A New York native hailing from the prestigious Boston University College of Communication, Merkin is noted as being a "talent to watch" by Daily Variety".

The film was written by Alex Merkin, Jesse Mittelstadt, and Julien Schwab and is actually an expanded version of his short film which was written by the same three above with the addition of Kris Johnson. The excellent cinematography was by Andrew Carranza, and the Music was by Bobby Tahouri.

The film stars Mike Vogel as Julian, Danny Pino as Terry, Brittany Murphy as June, Brad Greenquist as The Porter, Arie Verveen as Lucas, Natalie Smyka as Anna, Guillermo Díaz as The Cook, Dov Davidoff as The Bellhop.

The story is told in real time, flashforwards, and flashbacks and takes place in the once ritzy now slowly decaying, past it's prime, Riverview Hotel. A  drunk and very distressed Terry (Pino), who has suspected his fiancée June (Murphy) of infidelity has followed her to The Riverview, where, he suspects she is playing hide the sausage with another guy.  Terry goes to the reluctant night porter (Greenquist) and bribes him to give him room 508 across the hall from June's room 507.

The Riverview Hotel

Terry waits in the room. He uses his cell phone and calls his best friend Julian (Vogel). Julian is relaxing in a tub with an icepack on his knee. Terry tells him that he broke into his house took Julian's revolver and followed June to the hotel. He plans to gun the lovers down. Julian asks Terry where he is at, and when Terry tells him that he is in the room across the hall Julian freaks.

<spoilers>

He freaks, you see, because it's Julian who is with June in room 507, in the Riverview Hotel, in Noirsville.

Noirsville

June (Murphy)

Night Porter (Greenquist)

"Out Of The Past" quote

Julian (Vogel)

Terry (Pino)

the cell phone call

Nightmare Alley

The Director Merkin sticks in a few Classic Noir quotes, i.e., June registers as Kathie Moffet, Jane Greer's character from "Out Of The Past," and Terry later walks under a Theater Marquee that's playing "Nightmare Alley," there may be a few more. The four leads are excellent, the cinematography and music a treat. 7/10