The Hottest State (2006)

Director:

Ethan Hawke

Writers (WGA):

Ethan Hawke (screenplay)
Ethan Hawke (novel)

Release Date:

23 March 2007 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A young actor from Texas tries to make it in New York while struggling in his relationship with a beautiful singer/songwriter. |

Plot Keywords:

Urination Scene | Actor | Beautiful Woman | Singer | Adaptation Directed By Original Author

Cast

Mark Webber	...	William Harding
Jesse Harris	...	Dave Afton
Laura Linney	...	Jesse
Frank Whaley	...	Harris
Lynn Cohen	...	Harris' Mother
Greta Gaines	...	Faye
Nick McDonnel	...	Artsy Guy
Alexandra Daddario	...	Kim
Iraida Polanco	...	Proprietor
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sonia Braga	...	Mrs. Garcia
Anne Clarke	...	Young Jesse
Ethan Hawke	...	Vince
Matt Jade	...	Head Waiter
Cherami Leigh	...	Danielle
Elizabeth Marley	...	Ticket Girl
Lee Miller	...	Bartender
Catalina Sandino Moreno	...	Sarah
Glen Powell Jr.	...	John Jaegerman
Daniel Ross	...	Young Vince
Lara Theodos	...	Waitress
Michelle Williams	...	Samantha
Josh Zuckerman	...	Decker

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content and language.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:14 | South Korea:18 | Japan:PG-12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

El Paso, Texas, USA

Company:

Barracuda Films

Quotes:

Jesse: [to William] Your whole life, people are gonna ask you to be weak. They're gonna practically beg you. But all anyone really wants is for you to be strong.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-09-15)" (2007)

A Talky, Self-Indulgent Film Despite a Fine Cast

Ethan Hawke wrote the book THE HOTTEST STATE and then proceeded to write the screenplay, direct and act in it. Sometimes that combination works, but in this instance the whole project feels like a narcissistic self-indulgent autobiographical talky two hours. Hawke is respected enough among his peers that he was able to draw a fine cast together in an attempt to make this film work, but in the end it is pretty boring.

Young Texas actor William (Mark Webber) has moved to New York to make it big, and while he gets jobs, he feels as though he doesn't have a handle on relationships. When he meets the beautiful singer Sarah (Catalina Sandino Moreno) he falls in love but has no idea how to court his dream girl. Sarah is cautious about relationships, too, yet is attracted to William and consents to travel to Mexico to heat up their bonding. In Mexico they spend the greater part of their time consummating their love affair: the love scenes are fairly erotic, especially on the part of Moreno. Returning to their jobs in New York the two face problems in continuing their relationship. William's divorced parents (Laura Linney and Ethan Hawke) have their own demons that prevent their providing William with much consolation, and Sarah's mother (Sonia Braga) has a rather negative view of relationships. How the film finally winds down with dealing with William's whining and Sarah's resistance is all that is left of the lengthy diatribe.

Though Linney, Braga, Michelle Williams (in too short a role), and Moreno try to make this story tolerable, it is inherent in the concept that William (Ethan Hawke poorly disguised) is just too boring a guy to care about. Mark Webber is supposed to have the promise and charisma of a 'new Brando' (according to the hype), but he is flat in this film. The soundtrack is wearing and rarely takes a break for the dialog. Hawke can and has done better. Hopefully he has released his ego in this film and can move on. Grady Harp