Writer/Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Val Kilmer
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors that achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or cruel gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a celebrated legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created an enduring legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his lasting career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of De Niro and admire all the films which he has produced in his career. However, “Heat” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1995, Robert De Niro’s iconic movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with bold production, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest crime dramas ever made. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Robert De Niro, who embodies a criminal committing robberies of banks which cause sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Heat” a crime classic is its message. Unlike most movies in the crime genre, the film tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a strong message about dangers of committing crimes that would resonate with everyone. Although “Heat” is undeniably engaging, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, and lacks the compelling character development of the finest films in the crime genre. Nevertheless, it still demands to be seen. A captivating crime classic, there’s several strong reasons why “Heat” is a great movie worth seeing.
Set in crime-ridden L.A., “Heat” tells the story of a cop that embarks on a journey to catch bank robbers under heat. Al Pacino embodies Lieutenant Vincent Hanna, a hotheaded cop with a short temper. Hanna has always been successful in his efforts to eradicate crime in his city. However, Hanna’s life forever changes when he encounters bank robbers which pose danger. Led by the mastermind thief McCauley (Robert De Niro), the team commits carefully planned bank robberies causing sorrow. As he faces a dilemma, Hanna begins to question if he will ever be able to catch thieves that cause trauma. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Hanna wonders whether he would ever be able to become a successful police officer. Under heat, Hanna questions whether it’s truly possible to defeat bank robbers that are hard to beat.
Michael Mann is fascinated with the stories of criminals. Before he had directed “Heat”, Mann was known for making films in the crime genre. His legendary 1981 film “Thief” examined life of a diamond thief skilled committing intricate robberies. With “Heat”, however, Mann made his first crime drama about stressful lives of bank robbers. It was the filmmaker’s attempt capturing barriers faced by bank robbers but he succeeds immensely. Through spellbinding cinematography, Mann captures a thief which commits shocking robberies chased by police authorities. Mann has always excelled using handheld camera in his films to build tension, and “Heat” showcased his main strengths as a director. Mann successfully uses the handheld camerawork to capture lives of bank robbers facing a dilemma. For instance, the handheld camera enhances the bank robbery sequence. During this unforgettable scene, McCauley and his team of associates rob a bank that causes consequences which are tragic. Through using handheld camera, Mann successfully captures bank robbers which face a dilemma. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in criminal movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” did suggest clearly, handheld camera enhances boxing biopics. Nevertheless, it works very well in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, the filmmaker captures the hardships which bank robbers are facing.
Another great aspect of “Heat” contributing to its success is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Mann’s decision to shoot the film in real-life locales in L.A. pays off tremendously. Throughout the movie, the city of L.A. plays a pivotal role in the movie in capturing crime of a corrupt location. For instance, the locations of L.A. enhance the shootout scene. During this unforgettable scene, bank robbers and cops engage in a tense confrontation shooting at one another. One recognizes real-life locales across L.A. capturing the crime-ridden nature of a city enduring destruction today. Through real-life locales, Mann captures the hardships bank robbers are facing. Besides, the musical score is magnificent. Elliot Goldenthal’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden bank robbers often bear. Through phenomenal production-design, the filmmaker captures the lives of commemorated bank robbers that endure a decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Heat” is a crime classic that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and uses silence to capture bank robbers that are haunted by committing painful acts of violence. Throughout the film, Mann effectively uses sequences of silence to capture bank robbers that struggle to balance their professional lives with work responsibility. For instance, silence elevates the scene where McCauley feels guilt after committing painful robberies. One appreciates the sequences of silence capturing the experience of criminals haunted by acts of violence. Silence is not an easy technique to use in movies. Most crime dramas are driven by sound as a way to build tension. As Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” suggested, silence enhances movies about troubled taxi drivers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Mann captures the lives of bank robbers which experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his greatest career performances as Neil McCauley. De Niro achieved appreciations for portraying raging boxers in sports biopics. With “Heat”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a bank robber that commits crimes causing tragedy, but De Niro succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and menacing in his most cold role. With mesmerizing expressions, he embodies the angst, courage and reckless nature of a commemorated bank robber that commits reprehensible crimes causing catastrophe. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the greatest actors working in the film industry today.
Al Pacino is phenomenal as a hotheaded cop seeking to catch bank robbers whose crimes cause sorrow. While De Niro gets the showier role, Pacino is also amazing as a cop whose life spirals out of control. Pacino has always had an aptitude for using his strong voice to convey authority, and “Heat” showcased his strengths clearly. Whether he’s throwing an immense temper tantrum at his team of cops or chasing after grim bank robbers in airports, Pacino effectively uses his powerful voice to create a police officer with authority. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the greatest actors currently working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Val Kilmer is terrific, capturing the short temper of a hotheaded police officer putting the lives of citizens in grave danger. Natalie Portman is powerful, bringing humanity to a daughter struggling building a strong bond with a father which engages in bank robberies causing tension. Lastly, Jon Voight merits appreciation. As a notorious thief, he brings an air of menace to the film.
Despite its excellent performances, however, “Heat” can’t quite capture the tensions faced by police under heat. If there’s a drawback to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Mann’s decisions to integrate subplots about personal lives of bank robbers into the movie is bold but doesn’t quite succeed. Due to this misjudged decision, scenes focusing on Hanna’s suicidal daughter aren’t as engaging as his journey to find bank robbers. Crime dramas thrive based on the quality of their pacing, and in this regard “Heat” falls short of expectations. Therefore, “Heat” cannot quite live up to the high standards that have been set by the greatest movies in the crime genre.
Nevertheless, fans of Robert De Niro will enjoy “Heat” and so will movie-goers searching for exhilarating entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours a legendary actor which has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about police officers under heat embarking on challenging missions to catch bank robbers that are terrifying, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy gaining a humongous fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling whose captivating movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 