Harlan Woodriff is a little strange for a Wyoming boy as his greatest wish is to leave home and join a salsa band. In pursuit of this laudable enterprise he leaves home for the big city only to bump into Jude along the way. Turning up at his friend’s house he discovers that Jude has left him a case, a case full of diamonds which are being sought by a couple of thugs who kidnap his new girlfriend...

Hot Tamale (2006, 1 hr 38 min) is a comedy film directed by Michael Damian, co-written with Janeen Damian, both won a number of awards for the film's script. It’s a quirky indie comedy, of the fish out of water variety, which has much to recommend it. The script, whilst not touting the most original of ideas, remains amusing throughout; this is more of a warm feel good comedy, than a laugh out load fest, with many recognisable stereotypes from other movies.

So Harlan is the hick kid who travels to Los Angeles but still makes good against the city types winning their respect in the process. Being the hero he gets the girls and wins against the bad guys. Nothing really new there but it is written and performed well, with a good dose of salsa music and action - or as they say today, mild peril - to make the whole thing feel more upbeat and pleasurable than it should be.

One of the pleasant surprises of the movie are the performances from the main leads. Jason Priestley, who plays Jude, isn’t in the film much but Randy Spelling, as Harlan, gave an unexpected good performance, playing Harlan as personable without endowing his character with too much naivety at the start of the film. His character really falls on his feet when he comes (pun intended) across the delectable Tuesday, played by Diora Baird, who turns out to be more than welcoming and so becomes the instant love interest.

Finishing off the cast is Carmen Electra, as another villain out for the diamonds, while Sean Blakemore and Mike Starr play the hapless thugs, after the bag, who present their characters in a comedic rather than violent light.

In truth this is the sort of film that, whilst you wouldn’t go out of your way to see, nonetheless turns out to be a not unpleasant way to spend an hour and a half of your time.

The disc is presented in a 16:9 anamorphic widescreen with either a stereo or 5.1 soundtracks. Extras are restricted to a trailer reel.

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Charles Packer