In an advanced review of "The Hottest State," a film written and directed by Ethan Hawke, an intense, personal journey is captured by showing just how confusing and obsessive love can be. Based on a book of the same name, Hawke's film is as independent a feature film that one can be.
The movie begins in Texas, many years before the present, where we meet the future parents of the main character, William, before he is even conceived. Narration helps add understanding and humor to the scene in which they meet, where William's soon-to-be father is seen delivering a flat yet amusing joke to his future mother, who is more smitten by his voice than the punch line. It is evident early on that Hawke has an ability to capture engaging dialogue and humor through his direction in what is a very nice opening stanza.
The film begins in earnest at New York City, jumping ahead many years where we meet William as a young adult, where he is a striving actor who seems to be doing just fine with life in the big city. The narration, which is used as an overlay through the course of the film, continues in these early scenes and it's evident that William is the narrator's voice.
Jumping right into the nightlife of New York City, the plot develops rather quickly in the early segments. William's journey begins when he notices a young lady named Sara at the local pub and falls for her instantly. After using a clumsy, enthusiastic pick-up line as his introduction, he wins the chance at walking her home for the night. When they arrive at her apartment, he is shocked to find out that she lives across the street from him. Hence, the groundwork is in place for their opportunity to get to know one another better. And that's exactly what they do, to say the least.
The first hour of the film depicts the whirlwind romance between the two main characters, which is very nearly the sole focus of the film. We learn that both William and Sara have betrayal issues (both of their fathers left them in their youth) and this leads to many layers of complication and confusion in their relationship. In William's case, the lack of having a male role model in his life after his father abandoned him becomes clear. He's unsure of all the emotions that take hold of him as he falls in love and doesn't know how to function. Unable to bring himself to contact his father, who remained in Texas and married anew, William even seeks counsel from his mother regarding relationship advice.
The film takes on a different tone after the young couple return from a trip to Mexico, where William had landed a big role in a film that was shot on location. The two had such a good time together that they very nearly wed during the trip, but decided to wait until they returned to NYC. However, the return to their life in the city gives Sara a chance to rethink things, and eventually decides that she would like to focus more on her aspiring singing career then to be tied down to a relationship. This is a crushing blow to William, who starts on a path of obsession and desperation in his quest to win her back.
"The Hottest State" is a film that will demand your attention if it's to succeed with you. If you are patient enough to see the romance build between William and Sara, then you will become emotionally attached to them both as their relationship comes apart during the film's final act. If anything else, the emotions feel very real and shows how confusion can overtake you when in the midst of a love you cannot completely understand. Some of Hawke's best direction comes in the sequences in which William is heartbroken and desperate, doing anything in his power to regain the love that was lost, if it was even love at all.
And speaking of the leading role -- Mark Webber delivers a performance that will remind you of a younger Ethan Hawke in his portrayal of William, which makes sense since it is based on Hawke's book. However, the best performance of the film goes to Hawke himself, who makes the most of limited screen time in portrayal of William's father. His scenes highlight the significant sense of loss that a young man can have if he never had a father in his life.
Ultimately, this film is at times heartbreaking, sometimes humorous and often intense with emotion. It also offers solid performances across the board, some of which will move you in certain moments. Though I think the film could have been edited down a bit from its 2 hour running time, it's hard to argue the emotion that's brought to life in William's journey. This is a film that those who enjoy independent fare will really appreciate, as will viewers who enjoy intimate performances driven with passion.
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