Cast
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Steve Coogan
as Lionel Macomb
Neve Campbell
as Valerie Gannon
Taylor Russell
as Tess
Skylar Astin
as Gareth Whitley
Judith Light
as Judith Montefiore-Salters
Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
as Earl Higgins
Pico Alexander
as Grayson
Griffin Newman
as Tyler
John Rothman
as Kent
Geoffrey Cantor
as Stanley
Tina Benko
as Laurie
Jin Ha
as Wendel
Teddy Coluca
as Rocco
Oona Roche
as Randa
Crew
Director
- Frank Coraci
Writer
- Will Reichel
Producer
- Aimee Keen
- Frank Coraci
- Susan Leber
Reviews
Sheldon Nylander
With cookie-cutter characters that stumble and trip their way through a cliched plot (tell me if you've heard this one: Smart and spunky teenager shows up on the doorstep of a stuffy conservative family member and makes them look inward for a better way to be), "Hot Air" is not insightful nor is it even that timely.
The characters are not relatable to the point of being reprehensible and feel like they lurch their way along like emotional Frankenstein's monsters in difficult or impossible to believe directions with little tangible and no believable character development. The only character that seems to derive any relatability is the teenage niece, Tess, but even she doesn't demonstrate much depth and can be very irritating. Steve Coogan's long-winded speech near the end seems to come out of nowhere with less provocation than he would have clearly had in the past.
Overall, you'll probably feel the same way if you just walk repeatedly into a closed door for a little while futily hoping to get to the other side, and you won't waste 100 minutes doing it.
Aug 24, 2019
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Hot Air examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Frank Coraci brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Hot Air took approximately 25 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 99 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 159 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 350 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The film contains approximately 823 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: April 10, 2018
- Runtime: 1h 39m
Where to Watch
