JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonHeat (1995) - Footage Included
January 2nd 2008 00:01
Explosive motivations in the mirror
Heat DVD Cover- Available in Australia
Starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Natalie Portman, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Hank Azaria, William Fichtner, Henry Rollins, Jon Voight, Wes Studi
"A guy told me one time, "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." Now, if you're on me and you gotta move when I move, how do you expect to keep a marriage?" - Neil Mccauley
Performing micro surgery on the life of professional criminals and the lawmen that hunt them, Heat is a character study of machinations and consequences. Remaking his own film L.A Takedown, Stylist Director Michael Mann drenches Los Angeles in a thick ambience for this electrifying cops and robbers epic.
Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is the steely eyed, withdrawn lifetime crook who follows a strict code of emotional detachment. The blood hound L.A policeman on his trail and in his head is Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino).
"You know, we are sitting here, you and I, like a couple of regular fellas. You do what you do, and I do what I gotta do. And now that we've been face to face, if I'm there and I gotta put you away, I won't like it. But I tell you, if it's between you and some poor bastard whose wife you're gonna turn into a widow, brother, you are going down." - Vincent Hanna
Both men lead expert crews, obsess over every detail of their work and have fully accepted the realities of their chosen fields. Now the City of Angels streets are going to become a battleground of counter surveillance, covert techniques and destructive automatic weapons.
"Well ya know, for me, the action is the juice. " - Michael Cheritto
It is the daylight robbery of a payroll van that triggers a collision of destinies as McCauley executes the operation with military precision and Hanna is assigned to investigate the case.
A rivetting test of wills, skills and kills ensue as adversary and prey manoeuvre on instinct, jockeying to out guess their opponents.
"M.O.? Is that they're good... Once it escalated into a murder one beef for all of 'em after they killed the first two guards, they didn't hesitate. Pop guard number three because... what difference does it make? Why leave a living witness? Drop of a hat these guys will rock and roll." - Vincent Hanna
The Robbery, the talk and the mood
John Doe Says:
Taking a pair of cinematic legends and finally having them in same frame on the big screen then favouring neither side. The power plays and dealings of both sides receive equal attention to become a definitive portrait. Scrutinising their private lives, social interactions and psychology to deliver an authentic and powerful work, complete in its demanding portrayals.
Obsessively researched by the ever thorough Michael Mann (Thief, Manhunter), the sledgehammer plotting and deliberately uncomfortable pacing lets the numb melancholy and trademark atmosphere enter the audience subconscious. The lengthy running time goes by unnoticed, there is too much to see and think about in every silence.
The bullet riddled, intensity of realism from the central bank heist has been used in coaching anti-crime divisions since, testament to its commitment to physical honesty.
The intense screenplay thrives on moral ambiguity and subjective character choices. Taking you into the mindset of its players the loaded words are used sparingly and by the finale tribute to Bullitt seem to have multiple implications.
Robert De Niro (Greetings, Godfather II, Midnight Run, Deer Hunter) lodges one of the few notable performances of his later career here. His withdrawn and guarded manner ideally suited to this ghost of a man.
Al Pacino (Scarface, Scarecrow, Godfather, Cruisin, Serpico, Dog day Afternoon) as the man commanded by his killer instinct thrives on the thrill of the chase. The actors exuberant style is perfectly suited to the interrogation and domination of situations that his part requires.
The singular coffee shop verbal confrontation is as compelling as any in the history of cinema. Alternate energies bounce of one another as the plot pivotal conversation plays out, revealing the subconscious motivation of each.
Val Kilmer (The Doors, Kiss Kiss bang bang, salton sea, Thunderheart) proves his versatile dedication to craft, his career criminal icy proficiency comes through in every glance. Watching his wham-bam reload in the street battle in swift, coordinated movements you see the endless hours of repetition that must have been spent weapons training.
Tom Sizemore is a great character actor and here his glassy edge is an unquestionable strength, much like Scagneti in Natural Born Killers.
It’s not all macho posturing though as the strong woman add dimension to their counterparts. There’s Diane Venora (Insider, Ironweed, Bird) as suffering wife Justine Hanna and her troubled daughter played by Natalie Portman (Leon: The Professional, Garden State, Beautiful Girls). Amy Brennan is the woman who falls for an enigma, and Ashley Judd is at wits end with her risk junkie husband.
John Doe is not alone in his love for this immersing experience, the cinematic technique is faultless. The breaking down of the jobs and revealing similarities enthrall. This is quality action cinema of high calibre pedigree, the ensemble cast and crew make it essential for every DVD collection.
Watch the Heat trailer
Here is the palpable coffee shop scene
Here is a revealing clip of what happens when De Niro gets justifiably bugged
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