The Hot Spot

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Ola G Drifter Harry Madox (Don Johnson) takes a job as a used car salesman in a small Texas town. In the summer heat, he develops an interest in Gloria Harper (Jennifer Connelly), a young demure woman who works at the car dealership in the loan office. He notices Gloria's legs, and her shoes which have wooden fruit on them. Dolly Harshaw (Virginia Madsen), who is married to the dealership's owner, flirts shamelessly with Harry, telling him that she has a pair of shoes exactly like Gloria's. Soon after they begin a torrid affair. Harry learns that the staff of the local bank are all volunteer firemen and that the cameras in the bank do not work. After careful planning, he sets a fire in a building across the street to lure them all away and while they are gone, he robs the bank. His conscience forces him to enter the burning building to save a homeless man trapped inside. Despite this the town's sheriff suspects Harry of committing the robbery and he is arrested. He learns the money is useless anyway as the serial numbers were recorded. Dolly gives him an alibi and tells him she will sell him out unless he kills her husband, whom she married for his money. When he refuses, Dolly threatens to expose him... The Hot Spot received generally positive reviews from critics. Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars and wrote, "Only movie lovers who have marinated their imaginations in the great B movies from RKO and Republic will recognize The Hot Spot as a superior work in an old tradition." In her review for The New York Times, Janet Maslin wrote, "Mr. Hopper's direction is tough and stylish, in effective contrast with the sunny look of Ueli Steiger's cinematography." USA Today gave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four and wrote, "In other words, Hopper's direction isn't any great shakes, and the wrap-up is somewhat confusing, but this film does make you want to go skinny-dipping with someone else's mate." In his review for The Washington Post, Desson Howe wrote, "Hot Spot will never go down as timeless, neoclassic noir. But, with its Hopperlike moments, over-the-top performances and infectious music, it carries you along for a spell." Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "B" rating and Owen Gleiberman wrote, "Hopper still hasn't learned how to pace a movie, but working from Charles Williams' 1952 novel Hell Hath No Fury he comes up with a reasonably diverting hothouse yarn." (Via Wikipedia) I saw "The Hot Spot" back in 1990 and as far as I remember I liked it. So, it was simply time to re-see it. There's a stylish neo-noir thriller vibe in it and I think Dennis Hopper´s direction and Ueli Steiger´s cinematography are on point, but to be honest the performances from the ensemble cast is a bit wobbly and not all that believable at times. Don Johnson is ok, while the always lovely Jennifer Connelly and Virginia Madsen are not really convincing me. The problem is also it's supposed to be a romantic/erotic thriller, but there's zero vibes/sparks of that nature between Johnson and Connelly´s Gloria and Madsen´s Dolly. Which makes the film a bit limp and silly at times. It´s an unbalanced film to me. So I can't say I feel that same way about "The Hot Spot" now as I did in 1990. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/25 Full Review Dom L An entertaining Hopper Neo Noir! Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/24/24 Full Review Richard G. R Alright little Erotic Neo-Noir that goes a little too long. I found it hard to accept Don Johnson as the drifter, but Virginia Madson is good and wicked as the femme fatale and Jennifer Connely is perfect as the young innocent flower. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/06/24 Full Review Audience Member A fantastic, sweaty little noir throwback. It can get a little corny in spots, and plays a bit long, but I loved spending time in this seedy little world. All the main players are delightfully over-the-top. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/22 Full Review Audience Member too lengthy and therefore tedious. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Very nice hot nudity. Oh my god. Unfortunately I didn't find story compelling nor did I believe Don Johnson to be someone so bad ass. I'll fight him. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Hot Spot

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