Few films have left such a lasting impression on the crime genre of the latter part of the 20th century as Heat. Directed by Michael Mann, the film is often cited as one of the most intelligent, stylish, and emotionally deep crime films of all time.
Clocking in at nearly three hours, Heat is a slow-burn masterpiece that blends great storytelling and breathtaking acting performances against the epic backdrop of Los Angeles.
But, truly, what helps set Heat apart from other heist movies is its major cross-over of Robert De Niro vs. Al Pacino.
De Niro stars as Neil McCauley, a disciplined career thief who lives by a strict personal code that keeps him focused, efficient, and emotionally detached.
On the other side, Pacino plays Vincent Hanna, an obsessive LAPD detective who’s equally committed to his work, even at the expense of his family life.
The two men are polar opposites in terms of their moral compass, but they deliver the same level of intensity and drive when it comes to their craft.
Their cat-and-mouse dynamic builds throughout the story, culminating in one of the most iconic moments in film history: the diner scene – or the first time De Niro and Pacino ever appeared together on screen. It’s a quiet, tense conversation over coffee, but it is seen as one of the most energy-filled scenes of the film.
The film is the first time the icons were shown on the same shot as each other, apart from one split fade screen in Godfather 2.
Heat is lauded for not being just about crime – it touches on the topics of loneliness, duty, and the costs of lives. More than a simple ‘good vs. bad’ narrative, we see McCauley’s struggle to connect with someone outside his criminal world, at the same time as Hanna’s marriage comes crashing down due to the intensity of his job.
Apart from the main duo, we get to see Val Kilmer in one of his finest roles, playing Chris Shiherlis: McCauley’s loyal but reckless right-hand man. Additionally, Ashley Judd, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, and Danny Trejo round out the supporting cast.
Finally, the film’s tension is not just seen in understated cryptic scenes. Audiences experience the city’s harsh lights and wide freeways, bank robbery and gunfight high-tension scenes, and choreographed action sequences.
Upon its release, Heat got soaring reviews from both critics and the general audience, and its impact is seen in the subsequent generation of filmmakers – Christopher Nolan has cited it as a major inspiration for The Dark Knight, and the Safdie brothers and Denis Villeneuve have also praised it.
As a side effect of Heat’s hyper realistic sequences, some gangsters and criminals around the world have admittedly successfully mirrored the film’s meticulous criminal acts. On the brighter side, military and law enforcement agencies have also studied Heat for its depiction of tactical movement and planning.
Heat (1995) is now available to stream on Netflix.