The Hot Spot (1990)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Dennis Hopper

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

12 October 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Film Noir Like You've Never Seen.

Plot:

A loner (Johnson) drives into a small Texas town and gets himself a job at a used car dealership. He...

Plot Keywords:

Accountant | Skinny Dipping | Bank Robbery | Female Nudity | Swiming Naked

Cast

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

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Canada:R

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Mike Figgis was originally scheduled to direct with Elisabeth Shue in a lead role. The collaboration was not to be, however, but Figgis remembered Shue when casting for Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Quotes:

Dolly Harshaw: There's only two things to do in this town. You got a TV?
Harry Madox: Nope.
Dolly Harshaw: Well then, you're down to one. Lotsa luck!

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

YOU'RE NOBODY 'TIL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU

an all around well done movie that is 30 minutes too long.

i checked out this movie just due to the fact that it was written and directed by Dennis Hopper and had the beautiful Jennifer Connelly in it as well.

the movie has so many twists and double crossings that going into the plot would ruin the experience. but for once, a movie kept me guessing and the twists and turns were logical for once. it seems that a lot of movies nowadays throw a ton of curveballs even if it isn't necassary (Wild Things is an example.)

all of the acting is superb and Virginia Madsen is deliciously nasty and sexy but Jennifer Connelly steals the show with a great performance. ms. connelly was the perfect choice for this role in that she embodies stunning sexuality and physical perfection as well as a sweet persona that lends itself to the role perfectly. the strong doses of sex are appropriate to the plot as well.

the film's only flaw is that it is easily at least 30 minutes too long. i felt the movie should have been wrapped up a lot sooner than it was and the overlength brings it from an 8 down to a 7

still, this is well worth renting for all the performances and a genuinely well told story.

rating: 7