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IMDbPro

The Hot Spot

  • 1990
  • R
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
13K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,937
146
Don Johnson and Virginia Madsen in The Hot Spot (1990)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:49
2 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaRomance

Upon arriving to a small town, a drifter quickly gets into trouble with the local authorities - and the local women - after he robs a bank.Upon arriving to a small town, a drifter quickly gets into trouble with the local authorities - and the local women - after he robs a bank.Upon arriving to a small town, a drifter quickly gets into trouble with the local authorities - and the local women - after he robs a bank.

  • Director
    • Dennis Hopper
  • Writers
    • Charles Williams
    • Nona Tyson
  • Stars
    • Don Johnson
    • Virginia Madsen
    • Jennifer Connelly
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    13K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,937
    146
    • Director
      • Dennis Hopper
    • Writers
      • Charles Williams
      • Nona Tyson
    • Stars
      • Don Johnson
      • Virginia Madsen
      • Jennifer Connelly
    • 95User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    Watch Official Trailer
    The Hot Spot
    Clip 2:25
    Watch The Hot Spot

    Photos134

    Jennifer Connelly, Don Johnson, and Virginia Madsen in The Hot Spot (1990)
    The Hot Spot (1990)
    Jennifer Connelly in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Don Johnson in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Jennifer Connelly in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Jennifer Connelly in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Don Johnson in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Don Johnson in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Don Johnson in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Virginia Madsen in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Virginia Madsen in The Hot Spot (1990)
    Jennifer Connelly in The Hot Spot (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Don Johnson
    Don Johnson
    • Harry Madox
    Virginia Madsen
    Virginia Madsen
    • Dolly Harshaw
    Jennifer Connelly
    Jennifer Connelly
    • Gloria Harper
    Charles Martin Smith
    Charles Martin Smith
    • Lon Gulick
    William Sadler
    William Sadler
    • Frank Sutton
    Jerry Hardin
    Jerry Hardin
    • George Harshaw
    Barry Corbin
    Barry Corbin
    • Sheriff
    Leon Rippy
    Leon Rippy
    • Deputy Tate
    Jack Nance
    Jack Nance
    • Julian Ward
    Virgil Frye
    Virgil Frye
    • Deputy Buck
    John Hawker
    • Uncle Mort
    Margaret Bowman
    Margaret Bowman
    • Woman at Gas Station
    Debra Cole
    • Irene Davey
    Karen Culley
    • Cowgirl
    Cody Haynes
    • Cowboy
    George Haynes
    • Mr. Haynes
    James N. Harrell
    • Elderly Man
    • (as James Harrell)
    Edith Mills
    • Elderly Woman
    • Director
      • Dennis Hopper
    • Writers
      • Charles Williams
      • Nona Tyson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Virginia Madsen was supposed to appear naked in a bedroom scene, but she decided to put on a negligee because she felt that, 'Not only was the nudity weak storywise, but it didn't let the audience undress her'. Dennis Hopper later admitted that Madsen was right.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Frank Sutton: So you're a tough guy, huh?

      Harry Madox: No, you're the tough guy. I'm worse.

    • Alternate versions
      UK and US DVD versions are cut.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Postcards from the Edge/Saving Grace/White Hunter, Black Heart/After Dark, My Sweet (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      The Stroke
      Written and Performed by Billy Squier

      Courtesy of Capitol Records

      By Arrangement with CEMA Special Markets

    User reviews95

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    If you fall out of bed again the cockroaches are gonna start talking.
    The Hot Spot is directed by Dennis Hopper and adapted to screenplay from the Charles Williams novel, "Hell Hath No Fury", by Nona Tyson and Charles Williams. It stars Don Johnson, Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Connelly, Charles Martin Smith and William Sadler. Music is by Jack Nitzsche and cinematography by Ueli Steiger.

    Dennis Hopper loves film noir, he has been in some bona fide classic neo-noirs, whilst also turning his hand to directing that style of film making. The Hot Spot may not be a total success as such, but it is a superb effort that lovers of all things noir can feast upon. Story pitches Johnson as drifter Harry Madox, who lands in a Southern state town, bluffs his way into a car salesman job, plots a robbery, and then finds that two local ladies - of very different qualities - are about to change his life forever...

    I found my level and I'm living it.

    Hopper turns in a honest and faithful tribute to the first wave of film noir, but armed with the fact this was his era of film making relaxations, he gets to sex things up. Blending noir with erotic thriller conventions allows Hopper to pile on plenty of sizzle, which comes in the form of Madsen, who as Dolly Harshaw gives neo-noir one of its finest femme fatales. Overtly sexual and on the surface a ditz, an easy lay, it's only when this part of noirville shows its hand - in true old school fashion - does the character become memorable still further.

    On the flip side is Connelly's more straight laced Gloria Harper, who Madox coverts, yet there's baggage there as well (is she virginal?), baggage which adds more potency and trickery to this smouldering hot spot hot-pot. The girls are great, but so is Johnson, he broods and has a raw masculinity most fitting for this type of role. It's a shame he didn't do more neo-noir because he has the tools for the trade. Hopper brings sweat, sweaty close ups and noirville fans, while the photography and musical accompaniments are superbly compliant to the required atmosphere.

    The editing is a let down, so many scenes needed to have the linger factor, but it's not enough to kill this fine slice of noir pie. A sexy guy in over his head, devious machinations from both sexes, robbery, arson, deaths, ignorance and stupidity, The Hot Spot is far from being boring! The deliberate slow burn pacing has alienated the casual "crime/erotic thriller" film fan, but for those who love and know their noir, the fireplace cinders approach is a joy because the pay off delivers all that we hoped. 8/10
    helpful•10
    1
    • hitchcockthelegend
    • Apr 11, 2016

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 26, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Гаряча точка
    • Filming locations
      • Luling, Texas, USA
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,293,976
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $112,188
      • Oct 14, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,293,976
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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