The Hottest State (2006)

Director:

Ethan Hawke

Writers (WGA):

Ethan Hawke (screenplay)
Ethan Hawke (novel)

Release Date:

23 March 2007 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A young actor from Texas tries to make it in New York while struggling in his relationship with a beautiful singer/songwriter. |

Plot Keywords:

Urination Scene | Singer | Christmas | Adaptation Directed By Original Author | Actor

Cast

Mark Webber	...	William Harding
Jesse Harris	...	Dave Afton
Laura Linney	...	Jesse
Frank Whaley	...	Harris
Lynn Cohen	...	Harris' Mother
Greta Gaines	...	Faye
Nick McDonnel	...	Artsy Guy
Alexandra Daddario	...	Kim
Iraida Polanco	...	Proprietor
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sonia Braga	...	Mrs. Garcia
Anne Clarke	...	Young Jesse
Ethan Hawke	...	Vince
Matt Jade	...	Head Waiter
Cherami Leigh	...	Danielle
Elizabeth Marley	...	Ticket Girl
Lee Miller	...	Bartender
Catalina Sandino Moreno	...	Sarah
Glen Powell Jr.	...	John Jaegerman
Gabriel Rivera	...	Guitar Player
Daniel Ross	...	Young Vince
Lara Theodos	...	Waitress
Michelle Williams	...	Samantha
Josh Zuckerman	...	Decker

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content and language.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Japan:PG-12 | Brazil:14 | USA:R | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

El Paso, Texas, USA

Company:

Barracuda Films

Quotes:

William Harding: It was Wednesday when we met, Saturday when I asked her to move in, and by Sunday there were flowers in my apartment and hummus in my refrigerator. I don't remember waking up that Sunday. I don't think I ever slept. I just sat there thinking, "God damn, this must be what praying is like."

Movie Connections:

References Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Middle-of-the-road enjoyable, yet subtly insightful

I've liked Hawke as an actor but didn't go into this film with high expectations. I was surprised at how competently this was made. While it covers fairly safe territory - a romantic drama - it does it with nice visuals and some originality. The protagonist William (Mark Webber) is a bit of a slacker, yet he was introspective enough to try to resolve some of his own issues when his lover Sarah (Catalina Sandino Moreno) splits and leaves him broken-hearted. The fact that this was tackled from the male perspective, and grappled with some psychological insight gave the film some gravitas. Mind you, how deeply a twenty-one year old can delve into his psyche is another thing.

I found the film quite enjoyable, more than superficial, but still largely in the "middle-of-the-road" category - not that that's a bad thing. The cinematography was great, and there were nice camera angles. The music was nice but sometimes a little intrusive. While it's the type of film that's likely to do well at Sundance (maybe it has, I don't know), it's a lot better than the quirky comedies like Little Miss Sunshine et al. This film could do well on general release and was an OK film to add some variation to my MIFF viewings, but nothing to rave about. A good effort by Hawke (who is also a guest speaker at the festival).