David Alpay, David Gardner, Ernie Hudson

An ex-con returns to his rural Ontario roots and outwits a corrupt and wealthy thoroughbred owner trying to take over a slew of local farms. Ray Dokes, a charming ex-ballplayer, returns from jail to d...( read more  read more... )iscover the rural landscape of his childhood transformed by urban development. A film noir reminiscent of the stories of Elmore Leonard, ALL HAT is adapted from the novel by Brad Smith; Smith also penned the screenplay. Determined to stay out of trouble, Ray heads to the farm of his old friend Pete Culpepper, a crusty Texas cowboy who trains losing racehorses and whose debts are growing faster than his corn. Sonny Stanton, gambling addict and spoiled heir to a thoroughbred dynasty, is in the process of buying up an entire concession of farmland to build a casino and golfing resort, and the only one brave enough to stand in the way of Sonny is Etta Parr, Ray's old flame, who might be willing to forgive Ray if it wasn't for her pride and common sense. The situation is a minefield, one Ray is determined to avoid. He hooks up with Chrissie, a sexy, sassy and talented jockey and steers clear of Sonny. But when a ten-million-dollar thoroughbred goes missing from the Stanton Stables, Sonny pushes things too far and forces the sale of the community's remaining farms. Ray reacts by coming up with a plan to stop Sonny in his tracks and right a few wrongs in the process. The scheme is unlikely and audacious; the players are as unpredictable as nitroglycerin. One false move and Ray will land back in jail. And the smart money is against him.

Flixster Users

26% liked it

315 ratings

Critics

20% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Leonard Farlinger

Release Date: January 1, 2008

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DVD Release Date: May 27, 2008

Stats: 31 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (31)


  • December 22, 2008
    I just didn't like it. The pacing was slow and the story line coul dhave been developed much more.
  • December 8, 2008
    Nee-wat - nie die moeite werd nie - ek het nog nooit regtig van Kanadese films gehou nie - Die film is te stadig en sonder enige werkilike intrige. Die bome is egter pragtig, en selfs die perde....
  • September 5, 2008
    mildly entertaining drama about horse racing.
  • August 18, 2008
    A little slow but well acted and good story.
  • July 14, 2008
    Westerns have been filmed in Canada numerous times but rarely has one actually been set in the country ? All Hat takes place in rural Ontario...

    Surrogate father Keith Carradine has a presence and charming humor that dominates scenes, while Rachael Leigh Cook is cute as the ha...( read more)rd-drinking, roguish tomboy. But while the acting is adequate, the narrative is not. The story does not flow as the plot staggers through a slow reveal of Ray?s conviction and no event leads smoothly into the next. Ray?s plan works in theory but could not take place in reality, adding to the film?s script problems...

    For a full DVD review, visit: http://www.popjournalism.ca/magazine/2008/05/27/dvd-review-all-hat/
  • June 30, 2008
    I love horses so I thought I would like this. I will never see it again.
  • September 12, 2007
    Personally, I do not see any value to this film what-so-ever. Billing it as a neo-western is highly exaggerative or just plain false. There is little depth in the filmmaking or the plot, and it makes one wonder why make a film like this at all? Just because it is independent does...( read more)n't mean it is worthwhile. With so many beautiful, clever, and effort ridden films at this year's festival, 'All Hat' feels dead ?right out of the gates? and never gains any momentum, especially with the antagonist (I use that term lightly) made to look incompetent at every turn, forced comedic scenes, and a love subplot that does nothing but make the film longer.

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All Hat Trivia


  • What actress links all of these movies? Dreamer War of the Worlds Cat in the Hat Uptown Girls  Answer »
  • What actress links all of these movies? Dreamer War of the Worlds Cat in the Hat Uptown Girls  Answer »
  • In what movie did a mouse become a wizards helper and the mouse had to fill up a well but then found a magic hat and made the brooms do all the work but then he couldnt make them stop.  Answer »
  • What Actor starred in all of the following movies: Hide and Seek Uptown Girls Charlotte's Web Man of Fire Justice League Cat in the Hat  Answer »

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