The Hot Spot (1990)

When the drifter Harry Madox reaches a small town in Texas, he gets a job as used car salesman with the dealer George Harshaw and settles down in a hotel room. During a fire, Harry observes... See full summary »

Director:

Dennis Hopper

Writers:

Charles Williams (book), Nona Tyson (screenplay),

Stars:

Don Johnson, Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Connelly

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Don Johnson	...	Harry Madox
Virginia Madsen	...	Dolly Harshaw
Jennifer Connelly	...	Gloria Harper
Charles Martin Smith	...	Lon Gulick
William Sadler	...	Frank Sutton
Jerry Hardin	...	George Harshaw
Barry Corbin	...	Sheriff
Leon Rippy	...	Deputy Tate
Jack Nance	...	Julian Ward
Virgil Frye	...	Deputy Buck
John Hawker	...	Uncle Mort
Margaret Bowman	...	Woman at Gas Station
Debra Cole	...	Irene Davey
Karen Culley	...	Cowgirl
Cody Haynes	...	Cowboy

Storyline

When the drifter Harry Madox reaches a small town in Texas, he gets a job as used car salesman with the dealer George Harshaw and settles down in a hotel room. During a fire, Harry observes that the local bank is left empty and open without any security. Sooner he plots a scheme to rob the bank, provoking a fire in his room to distract the employees. When Harry meets George's wife Dolly Harshaw, the easy woman teases him and they have sex. Harry becomes the prime suspect of the bank heist and is arrested, but Dolly provided the necessary alibi to release him and blackmails him to have a love affair with her. However, Harry falls in love for Gloria Harper, who works as accountant in the dealership. He discovers that Gloria is blackmailed by the despicable Frank Sutton and he decides to press Sutton.

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Plot Keywords:

fire | accountant | car salesman | blackmail | neo noir | 

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Taglines:

There are only two things to do in this small town. One is watching TV . . .

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hot Spot

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,293,976 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of Harry Madox was offered to Tom Selleck, Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid but, for various reasons, they all turned it down.

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Goofs

After Harry shoots Frank, the pistol's slider is seen stuck at the rear position indicating an empty magazine. Yet a second later when Harry gets off the floor, the slider is in the forward position and the hammer is cocked.

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Quotes

Frank Sutton: So you're a tough guy, huh?
Harry Madox: No, you're the tough guy. I'm worse.

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Connections

Referenced in Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)

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Soundtracks

"CHOPIN'S LOVE THEME"
Performed by The 101 Strings Orchestra (as "101 Strings" Orchestra)
Arranged by Robert W. Lowden (as R.W. Lowder)
Courtesy of Alshire International, Inc.

User Reviews

A Steamy Masterpeice

This movie has to rate as one of the most important American films of the 90's. Dennis Hopper could be the next great American director in the 21st Century. The film was sexy without being crude. Don Johnson showed that his acting can be powerful if the right roll comes his way.Virginia Madsen steams up the show with her portral of the modern vamp.Jennifer Connelly plays it perfect with the innocent routine when she is the hottest girl in the movie. Anyone would enjoy this film on a cold night in the dead of winter with a lover on the couch next to them. A Great Watch!