Classic! Why no Oscar nominations for Al and Bob?

Rating: 10/10 (6 September 2002)

One of the finest crime thrillers of the last ten years. Heat boasts an all star cast, some exceptional cinematography, sound and acting. The film has gone for realism in the action department and what you get is some brilliant action sequences, there's no diving through the air in slow motion with doves appearing from nowhere, its more involving on a realism level like Saving Private Ryan was to war movies. The post bank heist shootout is outstanding.
The plot is based around Pacino's character Vincent, a cop and Neil played by Bob De Niro, who is a criminal genius. Both are similar in that their careers are their life. They feel isolated because of the dedication required to being the best of the breed in their chosen profession. Neil and his team want to pull off one last big heist and Pacino's character wants to stop him. Simple. The scripts excellence is that this is an exceptional character movie. The film has so many interestingly written and well played supporting characters, combining with the lead characters.

The film has flawless acting from everyone. Pacino and De Niro are both on Oscar worthy form with neither quite managing to steal the others thunder. Val Kilmer has rarely been as watchable and Tom Sizemore is also in great form as was Kevin Gage as Waingro. Diane Venora is very good as Pacino's long suffering third wife. Also Amy Brenneman as De Niro's love interest is very good. There are some great scenes in this movie. De Niro and Pacino sharing the screen for the first time in the cafe scene was legendary, it is one of my favourite scenes in a movie ever, and the end was touching. The last scene between Val Kilmer and his wife was good as was the parting of Neil and Eedy. Also Natalie Portman followed her brilliant performance in Leon with another great showing here.
Overall this is a movie that has classic written all over it. The most interesting supporting cast ever and also excellence in direction, acting and the music. This film should have had more Oscar recognition. Pacino and De Niro are both worthy of Oscar nominations but there wasn't really enough room for both of them and you couldn't nominate one and not the other. This is one of my favourite movies ever, at nearly 3 hours it never bores and holds your attention from minute one to the thrilling climax. It is a tale of obsession, solitude and mutual respect. Excellence in film making. 10/10