Rated R for violence and language.
171 Minutes
Written and Directed By: Michael Mann
Staring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Dianne Venora, Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, and Natalie Portman
Staring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Dianne Venora, Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, and Natalie Portman
We want to hurt no one. We’re here for the bank’s money, not your money. Your money is insured by the federal government, you’re not gonna lose a dime. Think of your families, don’t risk your life. Don’t try and be a hero. -Neil McCauley
Review
With Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro and a knockout supporting cast, Heat is without a doubt one of the best crime dramas available today. With two of our strongest actors available, both still in their prime it seems De Niro could have just as easily played Pacino’s role as Pacino could have played De Niro’s role. Michael Mann defines the relationships criminals and cops have with their women and their lives in what is probably his greatest cinematic success.
At nearly three hours there is an intricate plot development and a depth created in each of the main character’s. The visual structure in which the film is shot is plain and simply invigorating. There is something about the way the film is presented that gives a texture and feeling that our character’s are in the world but not necessarily a part of it. It emotes the feeling that Neil and Vincent are prisoners of their own worlds and it tells the story just as strongly as the script and the actors.
The gray line between the good guys and bad guys is distinctly blurred in this film that makes no excuses for the bad guys but shows how alike their lives and behavior might be to the good guys. No one in Heat is a hero or a villain, they are all humanized.
There are some pretty intense action sequences but they come after long character and plot building scenes and are obviously the reluctant result of their jobs. There is no question both sides can be ruthless and viscous if necessary, but both sides also use that violence as an ultimate last resort. There is a unique and proficient balance of action and drama that connects emotionally and makes everything that much more powerful.
Both Neil and Vincent play flawed men that’s professions affect their private life in a negative way. Other than the criminal nature of Neil’s job, Vincent and Neil’s lives have run a strange parallel. Somewhere along the way both of their professional lives have become their lives, while their real lives slip further and further away. While trying to escape those past mistakes they somehow finds themselves as deep as they’ve ever gotten in their professional lives, and the current is overwhelming. Both Pacino and De Niro playing these contrasting roles flawlessly.
Visually remarkable with a compelling story to boot, Heat is one of Michael Mann’s greatest achievements realized. This character driven cops and robbers story becomes of the best crime movies of the 90’s and one of the best of all time. It has all the elements of brilliant story telling on all levels that has great action but also an incredible substance behind it. Heat is brilliance in it’s greatest form.
Did you like Heat or this post? Rate it yourself!
Best gun fight ever? Yes, please.
Great write up!
I don’t think many would disagree with that Red!
Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner…
Nifty post on one of my all-time favorite films. I especially like how you pointed out that the two men are on opposite sides of the line, and yet their personal lives are amazingly similar!
This is the sort of film that I geek out about a little bit too much that writing an actual post on it might just sound like the ravings of an obsessed fanboy.
What neat surprise to hear you have so much love for Heat. Sometimes I feel like this movie has been forgotten about for some reason.
Although I did think it was very good, I still think some of the scenes, especially the random meaningless ones, should have been cut out. Check out my review of this one at http://dtmmr.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/heat-1995/ But other than that, Nice Review!
I haven’t seen it in it’s entirety in long enough that I could fairly surmise how long it actually is. I should give it another viewing and see how I feel.
I actually loved the long pointless ones, because I thought they captured what Mann was doing. The stories of lives randomly intersecting. On the other hand, maybe the Waingro subplot could have been reworked, but that’s a very minor complaint, because I think it works a lot better in theory (and as a narrative counterpoint and vehicle) than it does in practice.
Still, this might be on my desert island movies. Might be. Just might be.
Andy has got me crazy about the Desert Island lists. I can’t wait to read everyones!
I havent seen that film yet
Then go see it!
I must admit I really watch this movie only for the heist sequence which includes to this day, the best firefight ever shot for a movie. Like CMrok said, Heat does have a little dead wood that could have been edited out. Nevertheless, this is one of Michael Mann’s crowning achievement and one of the best crime drama ever made.
It’s one of my favorite Mann movies, but then he’s made so many excellent films it’s really hard to say, but Heat in it’s genre is certainly one of the best ever made.
What am I doin? I’m talkin to an empty telephone.
I don’t understand.
Cause there is a dead man on the other end of this fuckin line.
Bad ass!
HEAT kicks so much ass that the viewers mom feels it!
Did anyone else notice that DeNiro’s apartment looked like the one he used for Peterson in Manhunter. I don’t know why I always think about that?
I know my Mom felt it. She called me and told me to stop watching it.
Here’s one of those movies that everyone seems to love and I’ve never seen. I should be ashamed of myself…..and I am! I’ll have to make sure to put this on my list, right after I finish watching all those terrible horror movies I have.
Mann’s masterpiece is The Insider. Closely followed by Last Of The Mohicans.
Heat is good fun, but I like it for the same reasons I like The Departed – its full of good actors hamming it up and shouting.
The Insider is incredible.
I’m one of the few people that hasn’t seen Last Of THe Mohicans in it’s entirety. unfortunately, but it’s on my important list.
Really love the observation that both DeNiro and Pacino’s characters of in the world and not of it. The kind of code they follow would seem to work between the two of them, but it’s clear that the rest of the cast don’t quite “get it”.
Liked how quickly things fell apart for Sizemore’s character – who might have coasted by and seemed likeable for the enitre film had he not crossed the line and grabbed up Charlie Baltimore’s daughter as a hostage.
Way to push the classics – this is a must see for people to understand Mann’s abilities, and a great installment on his weird fascination with the other side of Los Angeles.
I always felt it was their relationship that became the most compelling aspect of Heat. The blurred line between good and bad, and how maybe just maybe there wasn’t this real difference between criminal and lawman. I think we see that explored more in films today, but I still find Heat to be my favorite example of a movie that represented it the best.
Somehow I think it gets forgotten how awesome Michael Mann actually is.
Thanks for the input Steve, it’s always appreciated.
It isn’t my favorite Michael Mann movie (believe it or not I actually prefer Collateral and Miami Vice), but it’s still got style and worth every minute of watching for that gun fight.
You and me both.
I really liked Collateral, but Miami Vice wasn’t one I’d consider his best.
This film is brilliant. Mann is at his finest when he’s making “street” film.
I’m watching Heat right now, and I think one thing that really makes the film for me is it’s wonderful score.
I think Michael Mann has an incredible sense of what soundtrack works for each film, and Heat is no exception. I thoroughly enjoy the scores to most of his movies.