Heat

Heat (1995) starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, and Diane Venora.

Before...this is the first in a series of films I have already seen that I am reviewing and so I knew what I was heading for when I started watching this film. I have always loved Michael Mann films and so this films holds a special place in my heart...what I feared however though was that I had remembered it incorrectly and that it wasn't as good as I remembered. However if I am honest I doubted that I was that wrong!

Neil Macauly (De Niro) is a professional thief who lives by a strict code. Vincent Hanna (Pacino) is a cop who has picked up Neil's trail. Macauly and his team, Chris Shiherlis (Kilmer) and Michael Cheritto (Sizemore), go from job to job that is organised by Nate (Voight) only to be followed on every step by Hanna, whose life is collapsing around him with the failure of his marriage to Justine (Venora).

So where to start...first things first, the characterisation in this film is incredible. The depth to which Mann has gone with each of the characters is simply amazing, although not overt Mann is able to deliver the audience a series of different characters and balance them all perfectly. Each one is given there time, and enough for the audience to feel they know each and every one of them. There is even a character who seems to have little to do with the story that is given an in depth look at, that is the heights that Mann goes to so to ensure the depth of knowledge for his audience.

The acting is another thing that is incredible about this film. Each of the characters is utterly believable. The limelight is basically shared between Pacino and DeNiro and there is very little time where the screen isn't graced with one of them at any time. Even though it is their film, the supporting cast also shine, and what a supporting cast they are. There are some big names in the film, most that you will recognise from some quality tv shows and also quality films for that matter. The one name that will immediately jump out at you and really worry you is Val Kilmer, however do not be worried about this. His part to play in this film is incredible. He puts in a performance that, if I am honest, should have been recognised by a nomination for an acting award.

The plot, although seems so similar, is written in a way that makes it completely original. The cat and mouse tale has often been done, with the focus being on the cop. However, this film steps out of the mould, it focuses on both the lead characters. Hanna, the cop, and Macauly, the thief, are both looked at equally and it is fascinating for once to see both sides of the story. The plot that develops between them is brilliant and wonderful. The other subplots in the film also show the brilliance of the acting on show. Kilmer and Ashely Judd, who plays his wife, are an excellent pairing and it is amazing to see them act their hearts out.

As with quite a few of his films, Mann assures that the setting of the film is like another actor. The visuals of LA are the background for the duel and battleground that Pacino and DeNiro are set against. LA is sumptuous, it's moody landscape is incredible. The pastel colours that Mann always chooses to shoot in gives his movies a definite feel. He does more than just create an environment for his characters, he pushes it to the forefront of the film. The landscape and scenery are gorgeous as is always the case in each of Mann's films.

The final thing that I love about the film isn't one of the obvious things, the stunning thing about this film is the rigour and the focus that the actors go through to make the film so realistic. In order for the film to seem so realistic the actors had to go through a lot of gun training, and in fact Andy McNabb was a consultant for this film. He helped to train the actors in using the guns in the film. Although you may think it a small thing, it is one of the areas that helps the film to be so slick and seemless in it's portrayal.

Overall the ebb and flow of the film is simply fantastic. People could say that it is a bit too long, but I feel that it is the length that enables Mann to develop the characters of his film to perfection. It also allows for the audience to get deeply involved in the characters, which in my view is key. Overall there is nothing that I can fault this film for. It is, and will always be one of my all-time favourite movies.