The Important Cinema Club #453 - Celebrate The New Year With FOUR ROOMS (Starring Quentin Tarantino)
Jan 1, 2026
Delve into the quirky 90s anthology film, exploring its Sundance roots and the unique styles of its various directors. Hear critiques of each segment, from Allison Anders' witch-themed tale to Tarantino's swagger-filled monologue that's full of ego. The discussion unpacks the pitfalls of anthology storytelling and contrasts it with other films of the era. Plus, get a glimpse behind the scenes with missing footage and the impact of Tim Roth’s comedic performance as the beleaguered bellhop.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Four Rooms As A 90s Indie Artifact
- Four Rooms became a 90s indie touchstone because Tarantino and Rodriguez were video-store legends for young film fans.
- The hosts argue the film functions as a curious artifact of that indie boom rather than a coherent anthology.
Anthology Film Reveals Indie Hierarchies
- The hosts place Four Rooms as an outlier that problematizes Tarantino's curated filmography.
- They see anthology projects as revealing early-90s indie dynamics and rivalries.
Rockwell's Chateau Marmont Pitch
- Alexander Rockwell conceived Four Rooms after hanging out with Tarantino at the Chateau Marmont.
- Rockwell pitched an anthology in the spirit of 60s European shorts and recruited peers from the Sundance scene.