REVIEW: Heat (Released in 1995) [25th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR: Michael Mann (also WRITER)

PRODUCERS: Michael Mann & Art Linson

PERFORMERS: Al Pacino Robert DeNiro Val Kilmer Tom Sizemore Diane Venora Amy Brenneman Ashley Judd Mykelti Williamson Wes Studi Dennis Haysbert Ted Levine William Fichtner

Natalie Portman Tom Noonan Danny Trejo Kevin Gage and Jon Voight

The difference between Police Officers and Career Criminals can be very distinctive, especially when it comes to being on opposite sides of the law. Of course, it's like a cat and mouse game and in films like this, all you get is a no holds barred struggle between two different people with different motivations but the same mindset. This film is a different take on that, it explores both the professional and personal worlds of a veteran detective and a master thief. As one of the most impressive films of the 90's, this film takes a deeper look into the criminal mind and police mind in ways never before seen (at the time).

Legendary Oscar Winning actors Al Pacino and Robert De Niro lead a stellar all star cast in a crime saga that shows there's more than meets the eye with these guys outside of their work. It even gives you insight of how they live with themselves and accept responsibility for them. The story is about a police detective played by Pacino on the trail of a group of professional crooks lead by a career criminal played by De Niro. Both men find themselves playing that cat and mouse game with each other and even at one point in the film, swear to each other that no matter what, if the occasion calls for it, one of them will be brought down and the other will be on top. Ever since the 70's these men have left a legacy of landmark performances in the history of cinema. With Pacino, there was not one single role you ever saw him in where his character was in power or authority, but it's his speech moments that make us pay attention to him. 'Scent of a Woman' for instance, when he defends Chris O'Donnell against the school board, the minute he starts talking you just stay in your seat completely silent and you don't say a single word. In this one here he shows that when you mess with the law, you mess with him and he'll make it a mission to hunt you down, even at the expense of his home life. De Niro on the other hand, is also a great actor. I remember 'Goodfellas' in which he played a Irish mobster earner, whenever he was seen you couldn't take your eyes off him. His presence on screen always commanded his portrayals. When these two collaborated for this one, you knew you were in for something unforgettable and to place them in a story like this, it was like looking at a present day David vs. Goliath (see 1 SAMUEL 17), only you didn't know who to route for this time. Despite being on the other side of the law, the De Niro character was what kept me interested in the story. He invests all his time and energy into his work that he doesn't even think about settling down like his partners do. Then he meets a young woman (AMY BRENNEMAN) and his priorities change yet he's still devoted to his job. Meanwhile, the life of Pacino's character is on the verge of a breakdown and you can't help but feel sorry for him because he's so devoted to his job that it's costing him his third marriage and his relationship with his step-daughter (NATALIE PORTMAN) who's currently facing her teenage adolescence with no parental support she clearly needs because her real father is nowhere in sight.

This was adapted from a TV-Film called L.A. Takedown made in the 1980's, I haven't seen the film for myself but I did see the coffee shop clip of it similar to the one in this one. What's so brilliant about that is because it's a brief confrontation between the cop and the thief, they both have different perceptions of the way they approach things but are dedicated to their jobs that they refuse to find another profession that doesn't result in them killing one or the other person. To everyone else, they're two regular people talking it out, but to them they're two professionals sending a warning to one another not to do what they do or else one or the other will get taken down. You'd think that under different circumstances they would have became friends because they have so much in common with each other but are on two sides and cannot collaborate because of their devotions to their professions. What's interesting is that during this game of cat and mouse, you get a glimpse of how these guys live their lives outside their jobs as explained above. Michael Mann the director and writer really delivers a hardened look to culture of life in L.A. and he's very good at doing that. But when it comes to the two legendary leads, it's no walk in the park. You look at his other films he did after this and they all hold the same quality whenever taking place in L.A. There were no effects, everything was realistic and practical and the music is also quite a gem to behold. This is the only time Eliot Goldenthal has ever captivated me by ear and I'm still nuts for that musical cue you hear at the end of the film because that's what I think of when I think of this movie. It really sums up the film in a nutshell and elevates the action and drama behind the film.

To conclude, Heat is so much more than a crime saga, it's a mesmerizing film. The thing about it is that it's character driven. There has been many character driven films that came after this, but nothing like this was. When I saw this in the Cinema a few years back I thought I was transported back to 1995 and in a way I was. Having had that experience has allowed me to see the real majestic of this film's beauty and artistry. If I had to pick a message for this film it would be this: "Don't let your job become your life" because when you do, it kills you very slowly. I think that the collaboration of Pacino, De Niro and director/writer Mann were what made this a very artistic masterpiece and they should really consider making more films like this together, if only they could have done so back then now that today's day and age of filmmaking has changed. All in all, great film, worthy remake and not to be missed if you haven't already seen it. Happy 25th Anniversary to Heat! #filmreviews #anniversaryedition #Heat25thanniversary #H25 #filmsof1995 #michaelmann