Hot Pursuit is a 2015 American action-comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher and starring Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara. The film follows the story of a police officer, played by Witherspoon, who is tasked with protecting a drug lord’s widow, played by Vergara, from criminals who are out to kill her.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the chemistry between Witherspoon and Vergara, while others criticized the script and lack of originality. Despite the mixed reception, the film performed moderately well at the box office, grossing over $51 million worldwide.
Overall, Hot Pursuit is a lighthearted and entertaining movie that offers plenty of laughs and action. If you’re a fan of Witherspoon or Vergara, or just looking for a fun and easy-to-watch movie, this one might be worth checking out.
Cast
The main cast of Hot Pursuit includes:
- Reese Witherspoon as Officer Rose Cooper
- Sofía Vergara as Daniella Riva
- Matthew Del Negro as Detective Hauser
- Michael Mosley as Detective Dixon
- John Carroll Lynch as Captain Emmett
- Richard T. Jones as Sergeant Jackson
- Rob Kazinsky as Randy
- Benny Nieves as Jesus
- Jim Gaffigan as Red
- Mike Birbiglia as Steve
Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara are the two lead actresses and share most of the screen time. The rest of the cast plays supporting roles in the film.
Production
Hot Pursuit was produced by MGM, New Line Cinema, and Pacific Standard, which is Reese Witherspoon’s production company. The film was directed by Anne Fletcher, with a screenplay by David Feeney and John Quaintance.
The film was shot primarily in Louisiana, with filming taking place in various locations around New Orleans and the surrounding areas. The production team also used a number of practical effects, such as real explosions and car chases, to create the film’s action sequences.
The film’s budget was estimated to be around $35 million, which is considered moderate for a Hollywood studio production. Despite its moderate budget, the film was able to attract two high-profile actresses in Witherspoon and Vergara, as well as a talented supporting cast.
Overall, the production of Hot Pursuit was relatively smooth, with no major issues or controversies reported during filming.
Reviews
Hot Pursuit received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 7% based on 118 reviews, with an average rating of 3.2/10. The site’s consensus reads, “Sofía Vergara and Reese Witherspoon deserve better than the strained, scattershot action/comedy/screaming-fest that is Hot Pursuit, but neither one is particularly well-served by it either.”
On Metacritic, the film has a score of 31 out of 100 based on 31 reviews, indicating “generally unfavorable reviews.” The film was criticized for its reliance on tired gender stereotypes and for failing to make the most of its talented cast. However, some reviewers praised the chemistry between Witherspoon and Vergara and the film’s occasional moments of humor.
Despite the mixed critical reception, Hot Pursuit did moderately well at the box office, grossing over $51 million worldwide. The film was able to attract audiences looking for a lighthearted, action-packed comedy, and remains a popular choice for fans of the genre.
Where are they now?
Here’s what some of the key cast and crew members of Hot Pursuit are up to now:
- Reese Witherspoon continues to be a highly respected actress in Hollywood, and has since starred in several popular films and television series, including “Big Little Lies,” “The Morning Show,” and “Legally Blonde 3,” which is currently in production.
- Sofía Vergara has continued to be a highly sought-after actress, and has since starred in several films and television series, including “Modern Family,” “The Emoji Movie,” and “Charming.”
- Director Anne Fletcher has continued to work in the film industry, and has since directed several other films, including “The Proposal,” “27 Dresses,” and “Dumplin’.”
- Screenwriters David Feeney and John Quaintance have continued to work together, and have since written for several popular television series, including “The Goldbergs,” “Black-ish,” and “Mixed-ish.”
- Other cast members, including John Carroll Lynch, Richard T. Jones, and Rob Kazinsky, have continued to work in the film and television industry, appearing in various projects over the years.
Overall, the key cast and crew members of Hot Pursuit have continued to be active and successful in their respective fields, with many continuing to produce high-quality work.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about Hot Pursuit:
- The film’s director, Anne Fletcher, had previously worked with Reese Witherspoon on the film “This Means War” in 2012.
- Sofia Vergara’s character Daniella Riva speaks both Spanish and English throughout the film, which allowed the actress to use her native language on-screen.
- Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara became good friends during the filming of Hot Pursuit and even posted photos of themselves hanging out on social media.
- The film features a cameo appearance by Matthew Del Negro, who also appeared alongside Witherspoon in the HBO series “Big Little Lies.”
- The film was shot on location in Louisiana, primarily in New Orleans and the surrounding areas.
- The film’s title was changed from “Don’t Mess With Texas” to “Hot Pursuit” after concerns were raised about the original title potentially offending Texans.
- The film’s script was originally written with two male leads in mind, but was changed to feature two female leads after Reese Witherspoon expressed interest in the project.
- The film’s promotional materials featured Witherspoon and Vergara dressed as police officers, complete with badges and guns, which caused some controversy due to concerns about police brutality and violence.
- The film’s soundtrack features songs by artists such as Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Gloria Estefan.
- The film was released in the same month as another buddy comedy featuring two female leads, “Pitch Perfect 2,” which may have contributed to its moderate box office performance.
Box office
Hot Pursuit was released in the United States on May 8, 2015, and grossed over $51 million worldwide. The film opened at #5 at the North American box office with a gross of $13.9 million in its opening weekend.
Although the film did not break any box office records, it performed moderately well and was able to recoup its estimated $35 million budget. The film’s success was likely due in part to the star power of its two lead actresses, Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara, as well as its lighthearted, comedic tone.
Hot Pursuit received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the chemistry between Witherspoon and Vergara, while others criticized the script and lack of originality. Nonetheless, the film was able to attract a moderate audience and remains a popular choice for fans of action-comedy films.
