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The Hottest State
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| The Hottest State | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ethan Hawke |
| Written by | Ethan Hawke |
| Based on | The Hottest State by Ethan Hawke |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Chris Norr |
| Edited by | Adriana Pacheco |
| Music by | Jesse Harris |
| Distributed by | THINKFilm |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Hottest State is a 2006 drama film written and directed by Ethan Hawke, based on his 1996 novel of the same name. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2006, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 24, 2007. It ran for five weeks in theaters and grossed $137,341 internationally.[1] The film was subsequently issued on DVD in December 2007.
Synopsis
[edit]The film tells the story of 20-year-old actor William, who falls in love for the first time with an aspiring singer, Sarah. As their love blossoms and languishes, young William reexamines himself and his relationship with his mother Jesse and estranged father Vince.
Cast
[edit]- Mark Webber as William Harding
- Catalina Sandino Moreno as Sarah
- Michelle Williams as Samantha
- Laura Linney as Jesse
- Ethan Hawke as Vince
- Daniel Ross as Young Vince
- Alexandra Daddario as Kim
- Cherami Leigh as Danielle
- Glen Powell as John Jaegerman
- Sônia Braga as Mrs. Garcia
- Anne Clarke as Young Jesse
Soundtrack
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
| The A.V. Club | B[3] |
| IGN | 8.7/10[4] |
| Pitchfork Media | 2.2/10[5] |
The music score for the film was composed by Grammy-winning musician Jesse Harris. Aside from the inclusion of two score tracks, the album is composed of sixteen original songs interpreted by such musicians as Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Cat Power, Bright Eyes, and Feist. It was also named one of "The Top 10 CDs of 2007" by the New York Daily News.[6]
Track listing
[edit]- "Ya No Te Veria Mas (Never See You)" - 2:06 (Rocha)
- "Always Seem To Get Things Wrong" - 3:47 (Willie Nelson)
- "Somewhere Down The Road" - 2:44 (Feist)
- "Big Old House" - 3:54 (Bright Eyes)
- "The Speed of Sound" - 4:19 (Emmylou Harris)
- "It Will Stay With Us" - 2:17 (Jesse Harris)
- "If You Ever Slip" - 2:33 (The Black Keys)
- "Crooked Lines" - 4:28 (M. Ward)
- "World of Trouble" - 4:35 (Norah Jones)
- "Never See You" - 5:04 (Brad Mehldau)
- "It's Alright To Fail" - 3:40 (Cat Power)
- "One Day The Dam Will Break" - 2:58 (Jesse Harris)
- "You, The Queen" - 4:17 (Tony Scherr)
- "Morning In A Strange City (Cafe)" - 2:00
- "No More" - 3:59 (Rocha)
- "Dear Dorothy" - 2:28 (Jesse Harris)
- "Never See You" - 2:46 (Rocha)
- "There Are No Good Second Chances" - 4:58
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 32% of 53 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.9/10, earning it a score of "Rotten". The website's consensus reads: "Despite strong performances and a unique style, The Hottest State is too self-conscious and pretentious to truly succeed."[7] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 45 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Hottest State (2007) - Box Office Mojo". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ La Gorce, Tammy. "The Hottest State – Original Soundtrack". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ Murray, Noel (August 14, 2007). "Various Artists: The Hottest State: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ Grischow, Chad (August 31, 2007). "The Hottest State Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Review". IGN. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ Mitchum, Rob (August 9, 2007). "Various Artists: The Hottest State OST". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ^ Farber, Jim (December 17, 2007). "The top 10 CDs of 2007". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ "The Hottest State". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "The Hottest State". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
External links
[edit]
The Hottest State
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background
The Novel
The Hottest State is Ethan Hawke's debut novel, published in October 1996 by Little, Brown and Company.[5] The 208-page book is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story centered on a young aspiring actor navigating his first intense romantic relationship and strained family ties, particularly estrangement from his father.[6] Hawke, then 25 and known primarily as an actor from films like Dead Poets Society and Reality Bites, drew from his own experiences growing up between Texas and New York to craft the narrative.[5] The novel explores key themes of youthful idealism clashing with harsh realities, the raw pain of first love and rejection, and the tentative path toward father-son reconciliation.[7] Set primarily in New York City, with flashbacks and travels to Texas, Paris, and Connecticut, it delves into identity, self-loathing, and generational disaffection through the protagonist's introspective journey.[8] Hawke's prose captures the obsessive intensity of early adulthood romance, emphasizing emotional turmoil over external action.[7] Upon release, the novel received mixed critical reception, praised for its introspective prose and emotional depth in portraying the agonies of young love, yet critiqued for self-indulgent elements and a sometimes wearisome cynicism in the protagonist's voice.[7][9] Reviewers noted its appeal to teenage and young adult readers grappling with similar themes of romantic yearning and personal growth, though some found the narrative clichéd and lacking originality.[5][6] As Hawke's first foray into fiction, it marked his transition from screen to page, achieving modest sales and contributing to his reputation as a multifaceted artist, with over 3,800 Goodreads ratings averaging 3.4 out of 5.[10] Compared to its 2006 film adaptation, which Hawke also wrote and directed, the novel features more extensive internal monologues and prolonged introspection that prove challenging to translate fully into a visual medium.[3]Development of the Film
Ethan Hawke adapted his 1996 debut novel The Hottest State into a screenplay for the film, a process he described as revisiting the story after a decade to refine its emotional depth through cinema.[11] Having written the novel in his mid-twenties, Hawke approached the adaptation around the early 2000s, treating the source material as if it were another author's work to allow for objective changes, such as streamlining the narrative structure and condensing timelines to fit a two-hour runtime.[11] He aimed to preserve the core themes of young love, heartbreak, and personal growth while incorporating new elements, including an added father-son reconciliation scene inspired by his own experiences with fatherhood, which provided a sense of closure absent in the book.[3] As director, this marked Hawke's second feature film, following Chelsea Walls in 2001, and he took on the role to authentically explore the autobiographical undertones of identity and relationships that permeated his writing.[12] Hawke's motivation stemmed from a desire to evolve the story across mediums, viewing the film as an opportunity to convey forgiveness and maturity more effectively than the novel had.[3] The project was an independent production handled by companies including Barracuda Films, Elixir Films, Entertainment Farm, and Under the Influence Productions, without major studio involvement, reflecting its intimate scale and Hawke's hands-on approach.[13] Funding efforts spanned several years, with Hawke actively raising resources in 2004 to move forward, resulting in a low-budget endeavor typical of indie cinema.[14] Development began in earnest around 2001, with Hawke focusing intensively on the adaptation over the subsequent five years, completing the screenplay by approximately 2005 ahead of principal photography.[11]Production
Casting
The principal role of William Harding, the young aspiring actor from Texas grappling with vulnerability and romantic disillusionment, was given to Mark Webber.[15] Hawke, adapting his own novel, directed the film. Catalina Sandino Moreno was cast as Sarah, William's love interest and a singer-songwriter, shortly after her acclaimed performance in Maria Full of Grace (2004), which showcased her ability to bring intensity to complex female characters.[16] Moreno noted that the role allowed her to portray a character closer to her own personality, diverging from the stereotypical Latina roles she had previously tackled.[17] Supporting roles included Laura Linney as Jesse, William's mother, and Michelle Williams as Samantha, his ex-girlfriend, both announced as part of the ensemble alongside Josh Zuckerman, Sonia Braga, and emerging actor Glen Powell in one of his early film appearances.[16] Hawke himself took on the role of Vince, the estranged father, after initial attempts to cast higher-profile actors such as Vincent D’Onofrio, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Viggo Mortensen, and Josh Hamilton fell through due to scheduling conflicts.[3] This self-casting decision stemmed from the indie production's limited budget, which constrained options for big names, and Hawke's availability allowed the pivotal seven-page reconciliation scene to be filmed efficiently in three hours on the last day of principal photography.[3] The process emphasized authenticity, with Hawke prioritizing actors who could embody the familial and romantic dynamics drawn from his semi-autobiographical source material.[15]Filming
Principal photography for The Hottest State commenced in January 2006 and spanned several weeks, adopting an independent filmmaking approach to convey the story's raw urban energy and personal introspection.[4] Filming occurred across multiple U.S. locations to mirror the protagonist's travels, with New York City—particularly the Lower East Side—serving as the primary hub for tenement and street scenes to evoke the bustling, authentic grit of the character's new life. Texas locations, including El Paso and San Elizario, represented both the film's opening flashback and sweltering homecoming sequences, while standing in for Mexico during the couple's intense retreat; New Jersey sites, such as Nutley, substituted for the snowbound Connecticut weekend amid relational turmoil. Cinematographer Christopher Norr employed natural lighting and handheld techniques to foster an intimate, documentary-like feel, enhancing the emotional immediacy of the environments.[18][19][20] Ethan Hawke, directing from his own novel, prioritized improvisation in key emotional exchanges, particularly early romantic dialogues and a climactic seven-page father-son reconciliation shot in just three hours, allowing actors to infuse scenes with unscripted nuance drawn from the source material's candid voice. This method, combined with Norr's edgy, stylized camerawork—including slow-motion inserts and underlit interiors—underscored the "hottest state" metaphor of passionate turmoil through warm, evocative palettes in Texas and Mexico sequences. Production navigated indie constraints like limited resources, which necessitated efficient outdoor shoots vulnerable to variable weather, yet yielded a cohesive visual narrative focused on psychological intimacy over polished spectacle.[12][3][21]Content
Plot
The Hottest State follows the story of William Harding, a 20-year-old aspiring actor who leaves his home in Texas for New York City to pursue his dreams in the competitive world of theater and film.[12] There, he encounters Sarah, a talented singer-songwriter from a wealthy Connecticut family, and the two embark on a passionate romance that quickly intensifies as they move in together and navigate the uncertainties of young love in the urban environment.[22] Their relationship, marked by emotional highs and conflicts, serves as the central thread, exploring William's personal growth amid career struggles and relational turbulence.[12] Key events highlight William's challenges, including his ongoing interactions with his pragmatic mother, Jesse, who provides guidance on matters of the heart, and his quest to reconnect with his estranged father, Vince, a figure from his past who shapes his sense of identity.[22] Travels punctuate the narrative, such as a romantic trip to Mexico City that deepens their bond, and references to Connecticut underscore Sarah's background and the couple's evolving dynamics.[12] Non-linear flashbacks to William's Texas childhood reveal glimpses of his parents' own youthful romance and its fallout, adding layers to his character arc.[22] The film weaves thematic elements of the illusion of love, the pursuit of family reconciliation, and the relentless drive for artistic success amid New York's chaotic energy.[12] These motifs drive William's introspective journey as a coming-of-age figure grappling with disillusionment and hope. Characters and events are adaptations from Ethan Hawke's 1996 novel of the same name, which Hawke also wrote and directed for the screen.[12] Blending romantic drama with introspective elements, the 117-minute film maintains a tone of emotional intensity and quiet reflection.[23]Cast
The principal cast of The Hottest State centers on the emotional journey of its young protagonist and his key relationships. Mark Webber portrays William Harding, a 20-year-old aspiring actor from Texas struggling to find success and stability in New York City.[4] Catalina Sandino Moreno plays Sarah, a free-spirited aspiring singer-songwriter whose passionate romance with William tests his emotional maturity and self-awareness.[12] Laura Linney embodies Jesse, William's devoted yet flawed mother who offers guidance amid family tensions.[4] Ethan Hawke appears as Vince, William's distant and enigmatic father, whose unresolved past profoundly influences his son's insecurities.[4] Supporting roles deepen the film's intimate character dynamics, with a total of approximately 20 credited actors emphasizing the indie production's focus on personal connections over spectacle.[24] Michelle Williams stars as Samantha, William's witty ex-girlfriend and confidante who provides levity and perspective on his romantic entanglements.[12] Josh Zuckerman depicts Decker, William's steadfast friend who supports him through bouts of doubt and heartbreak.[4] Sonia Braga is cast as Mrs. Garcia, Sarah's critical mother who embodies generational clashes and cultural expectations in their relationship.[12] Glen Powell makes an early career appearance as John Jaegerman, a boisterous figure from William's Texas roots who highlights contrasts in his urban ambitions.[4] Daniel Ross Owens plays young Vince, offering glimpses into the father's formative years that echo William's own turmoil.[4]Release
Premiere and Festivals
The Hottest State had its world premiere on September 2, 2006, at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival in the Horizons section.[25] Directed and written by Ethan Hawke based on his 1996 novel, the film drew attention for its personal themes, with Hawke noting autobiographical parallels between himself and the protagonist, a young Texan actor navigating love and ambition in New York.[12] The film continued its festival run later that month at the Toronto International Film Festival in the Vanguard section, where it screened alongside other independent features.[12] It also screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2007 and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July 2007.[26] It appeared at select indie circuits, generating initial buzz for its emotional authenticity in portraying the intensity of first love and heartbreak, even amid mixed early reactions from critics who noted its introspective style.[27] The nearly year-long gap between the 2006 festival debut and the August 24, 2007, limited theatrical rollout allowed time to secure distribution with ThinkFilm.[26]Box Office and Distribution
The Hottest State had a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 24, 2007, opening in three theaters in New York and Los Angeles through distributor ThinkFilm. The film expanded modestly to a maximum of five screens but did not achieve a wide release, constrained by its independent production budget and scale. Despite interest from its festival premiere, the movie saw no broader theatrical expansion, typical of many low-budget indies facing distribution hurdles in a competitive market.[28] At the box office, The Hottest State earned a total of $31,216 domestically over five weeks of release, with an opening weekend gross of $8,545. International earnings totaled $54,847, underscoring the film's limited global reach and the challenges for independent dramas in securing overseas distribution.[28][29] These results reflect the modest commercial expectations and indie limitations, where theatrical performance often serves more as a launchpad for ancillary markets rather than a primary revenue driver. For home media, ThinkFilm issued the film on DVD in December 2007, providing the primary post-theatrical format for audiences at the time.[30] As of November 2025, it is available for free streaming on Shout! Factory TV, Hoopla, and Plex, with rental options on Amazon Video and Apple TV.[31] No major re-releases or significant home video editions, such as Blu-ray, have been noted since the initial DVD launch.Soundtrack
Composition and Release
The original score for The Hottest State was composed entirely by Jesse Harris, a frequent musical collaborator with director Ethan Hawke, who blended alt-country and indie folk elements to underscore the film's emotional themes of passion and heartbreak.[32][33] The soundtrack features 18 tracks performed by a roster of artists including Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Feist, and M. Ward, with Harris contributing vocals and instrumentation on several pieces.[34][33] Harris's compositions integrate seamlessly into the film, enhancing key scenes such as romantic encounters through delicate acoustic guitar arrangements that amplify the story's intense emotional undercurrents. Hawke, drawing on his admiration for Harris's songwriting, guided the musical selections to capture the novel's titular "hottest state" of fervent desire, tying the score briefly to the plot's romantic elements without overpowering the narrative.[32][35] The soundtrack album was released on August 7, 2007, by Hickory Records, serving as a standalone collection that highlights Harris's cohesive, introspective sound. Production occurred following principal filming, emphasizing a budget-conscious approach by incorporating performances from emerging indie artists alongside established names like Nelson.[36][32] In 2021, a limited-edition double LP vinyl version was released by Secret Sun Recordings, marking the first vinyl edition of the soundtrack.[33]Track Listing
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Hottest State was released in 2007 in standard CD and digital formats, containing 18 tracks with no bonus content. All songs are original compositions by Jesse Harris, performed by various artists.[37][34] The track listing is as follows:| Track | Title | Artist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ya No Te Veria Mas (Never See You) | Rocha | 2:07 |
| 2 | Always Seem To Get Things Wrong | Willie Nelson | 3:49 |
| 3 | Somewhere Down The Road | Feist | 2:46 |
| 4 | Big Old House | Bright Eyes | 3:57 |
| 5 | The Speed Of Sound | Emmylou Harris | 4:19 |
| 6 | It Will Stay With Us | Jesse Harris | 2:17 |
| 7 | If You Ever Slip | The Black Keys | 2:36 |
| 8 | Crooked Lines | M. Ward | 4:30 |
| 9 | World Of Trouble | Norah Jones | 4:36 |
| 10 | Never See You | Brad Mehldau | 5:04 |
| 11 | It's Alright To Fail | Cat Power | 3:42 |
| 12 | One Day The Dam Will Break | Jesse Harris | 3:00 |
| 13 | You, The Queen | Tony Scherr | 4:18 |
| 14 | Morning In A Strange City | Jesse Harris | 2:02 |
| 15 | No More | Rocha | 4:01 |
| 16 | Dear Dorothy | Jesse Harris | 2:29 |
| 17 | Never See You | Rocha | 2:49 |
| 18 | There Are No Second Chances | Jesse Harris | 4:58 |