The Hot Spot


The Hot Spot

Overview:

A loner moves in to a small Texas town, finds himself a job, and sets about plotting to rob the local bank.

Votes 67 (6.4/10)

Runtime: 130 minutes

Release Date 1990-10-12

Revenue: $1,293,976.00

Production company:

  • Orion Pictures

Production country:

  • United States of America

Genres:

  • Drama
  • Thriller
  • Crime
  • Romance

Trailer

Further Information

Harry Madox
Don Johnson
Don Johnson
Dolly Harshaw
Virginia Madsen
Virginia Madsen
Gloria Harper
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly
Lon Gulick
Charles Martin Smith
Charles Martin Smith
Frank Sutton
William Sadler
William Sadler
George Harshaw
Jerry Hardin
Jerry Hardin
Sheriff
Barry Corbin
Barry Corbin
Deputy Tate
Leon Rippy
Leon Rippy
Julian Ward
Jack Nance
Jack Nance
Deputy Buck
Virgil Frye
Virgil Frye
Uncle Mort
John Hawker
John Hawker
Woman at Gas Station
Margaret Bowman
Margaret Bowman
Irene Davey
Debra Cole
Debra Cole
Cowgirl
Karen Culley
Karen Culley
Cowboy
Cody Haynes
Cody Haynes
Production Design
Cary White
Cary White
Director
Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper
Screenplay
Nona Tyson
Nona Tyson
Screenplay
Charles Williams
Charles Williams
Novel
Charles Williams
Charles Williams
Producer
Paul Lewis
Paul Lewis
Original Music Composer
Jack Nitzsche
Jack Nitzsche
Director of Photography
Ueli Steiger
Ueli Steiger
Costume Design
Mary Kay Stolz
Mary Kay Stolz
Art Direction
Michael J. Sullivan
Michael J. Sullivan
Art Direction
John Frick
John Frick
Editor
Wende Phifer Mate
Wende Phifer Mate
Music Supervisor
Gary Goetzman
Gary Goetzman
Music Supervisor
Sharon Boyle
Sharon Boyle
Music Editor
Richard Whitfield
Richard Whitfield
Still Photographer
Cliff Lipson
Cliff Lipson
Script Supervisor
Marita Grabiak
Marita Grabiak

John Chard

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

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