“The Hot Spot” is a neo-noir film released in 1990, directed by Dennis Hopper and starring Don Johnson, Virginia Madsen, and Jennifer Connelly. The film is based on the novel “Hell Hath No Fury” by Charles Williams.
The story follows Harry Madox (Don Johnson), a drifter who arrives in a small Texas town and lands a job at a used car dealership. He becomes entangled in a web of seduction, greed, and murder when he begins an affair with the sultry wife (Virginia Madsen) of his boss (Jerry Hardin) and becomes involved in a plot to steal a large sum of money from the local bank.
As Harry’s plan unravels, he finds himself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the town’s corrupt sheriff (Barry Corbin) and a mysterious stranger (William Sadler) who seems to be watching his every move.
The film received mixed reviews upon its release, but has since gained a cult following for its stylish direction, steamy atmosphere, and memorable performances by its cast.
Cast
The cast of “The Hot Spot” includes:
- Don Johnson as Harry Madox
- Virginia Madsen as Dolly Harshaw
- Jennifer Connelly as Gloria Harper
- Charles Martin Smith as Lon Gulick
- William Sadler as Frank Sutton
- Jerry Hardin as George Harshaw
- Barry Corbin as Sheriff Gaines
- Leon Rippy as Deputy Tate
- Jack Nance as Julian Ward
- Virgil Frye as Jack
- John Hawker as Sam
- Margaret Bowman as Donna Harshaw
Directed by Dennis Hopper, the film features a talented cast who brought the characters to life with their performances.
Production
“The Hot Spot” was directed by Dennis Hopper, who also appeared in a small role in the film. It was produced by Orion Pictures and was released in 1990.
The screenplay was written by Nona Tyson, based on the novel “Hell Hath No Fury” by Charles Williams. The film was shot on location in Texas, primarily in the city of Bastrop, with additional filming taking place in Austin and the surrounding areas.
The film’s score was composed by Jack Nitzsche, and it featured several songs by renowned blues musician John Lee Hooker, who also made a cameo appearance in the film.
Overall, “The Hot Spot” was a well-produced film that captured the sultry and atmospheric feel of a small Texas town in the midst of a crime spree. The film’s stylish direction and talented cast helped to create a memorable neo-noir experience for audiences.
Reviews
“The Hot Spot” received mixed reviews upon its release in 1990, with some critics praising the film’s style and performances, while others criticized its plot and pacing. Here are a few examples:
- Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, praising its direction, cinematography, and performances. He wrote, “What Hopper has created is a mood, a sexual tension so thick it can be cut with a knife.”
- Janet Maslin of The New York Times, however, was less enthusiastic, writing that the film “spends too much time on setups and not enough on action, making it seem sluggish despite its obvious heat.”
- Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C+ grade, writing that it “seems to exist only to showcase [Don Johnson’s] peroxide machismo.”
Despite mixed reviews, “The Hot Spot” has since gained a cult following among fans of neo-noir and has been praised for its stylish direction, steamy atmosphere, and memorable performances by its cast.
Where are they now?
Here’s an update on some of the key cast and crew members of “The Hot Spot”:
- Dennis Hopper, the film’s director, passed away in 2010 at the age of 74.
- Don Johnson, who played the lead role of Harry Madox, has continued to act in films and television shows. Some of his notable recent projects include the TV series “Watchmen” and the film “Knives Out.”
- Virginia Madsen, who played Dolly Harshaw, has also continued to act in a variety of film and TV projects. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in the 2004 film “Sideways.”
- Jennifer Connelly, who played Gloria Harper, has gone on to become a highly acclaimed and award-winning actress, with notable roles in films such as “A Beautiful Mind,” “Requiem for a Dream,” and “Noah.”
- Charles Martin Smith, who played Lon Gulick, has continued to work as an actor and director. He directed the 2011 film “Dolphin Tale.”
- Barry Corbin, who played Sheriff Gaines, has continued to act in film and television projects. He has appeared in shows such as “The Ranch” and “Better Call Saul.”
Overall, the cast and crew of “The Hot Spot” have continued to have successful careers in the entertainment industry, with many of them going on to work on critically acclaimed and award-winning projects.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “The Hot Spot”:
- The film’s screenplay was initially written by Charles Williams, but it was heavily revised by Nona Tyson. According to director Dennis Hopper, Tyson’s contributions to the script were crucial in helping to create the film’s sultry and atmospheric tone.
- The film was shot on location in Bastrop, Texas, which is a small town located about 30 miles southeast of Austin. Many of the buildings and locations seen in the film are still standing today and can be visited by fans.
- Don Johnson’s character, Harry Madox, is a car salesman who is shown driving a classic 1955 Ford Thunderbird throughout much of the film. The car was actually owned by Don Johnson himself and was later auctioned off for charity.
- The film features several songs by legendary blues musician John Lee Hooker, including “Boom Boom” and “Serves Me Right to Suffer.” Hooker also has a brief cameo in the film as a street performer.
- The film’s sex scenes were reportedly so steamy that they had to be edited down to avoid an NC-17 rating.
- The film’s cinematography was done by Ueli Steiger, who went on to work on films such as “Armageddon” and “The Day After Tomorrow.”
Overall, “The Hot Spot” is a film that is known for its stylish direction, sultry atmosphere, and memorable performances, as well as for its classic cars and blues music soundtrack.
Box office
“The Hot Spot” was not a commercial success at the box office. The film was released in the United States on October 12, 1990, and it grossed just over $1.6 million during its theatrical run. It did not perform well internationally either, grossing less than $1 million outside of the United States.
Despite its lackluster box office performance, “The Hot Spot” has gained a cult following over the years and has been praised for its stylish direction, steamy atmosphere, and memorable performances. The film’s reputation has grown in the years since its release, and it has been reevaluated by many critics as a notable entry in the neo-noir genre.
