In My Top 5!

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2001)

It would seem logical that a movie with two of the greatest actors ever (Al Pacino and Robert De Niro) would have to be an incredible movie. After all, this is only the second movie in which both have appeared (Godfather II, the other) and the first where they are together on screen. But, the general public never seemed to take to Heat. It did not do very good business at the box office, was not even one of the top 10 grossing movies in the year of its release (1995). In listing the best movies ever (or favorite movies) no one will mention it. Maybe people did not like how long it was (171 minutes is pretty long for this type of film). Maybe there were too many other good choices in 1995 (Braveheart, Se7en, The Usual Suspects, to name a few). But, the people who have seen it must love it, because (at the time this was written) it is in IMDb's top 250.
Having said all that, I love this movie. In fact, I place it on my top 6 list of favorite movies. These may not be the best movies, but they are the ones I love to watch. (The list, for those who are interested is, in order: The Godfather, Fight Club, Casablanca, L.A. Confidential, Heat, and Gladiator.)
Movies are great when characters are complex. The two main characters, a detective (Pacino) and a thief (De Niro), are very similar. The movie follows the two men as the thief plans for his "last big heist" and the detective tries to nab him. The two seem very similar in many ways. You can hope the thief gets away with it without feeling guilty (he is a decent person), and maybe root against the detective a little without remorse (he is an egomaniac). They are both the best at what they do and as the movie follows their paths, you cannot help but think these two could be twins separated at birth you chose different paths.
The other part of this movie that I like so much is the end. Without giving anything away, let me say this. Most movies like to leave you with a good feeling when they are done, a great movie is unafraid to leave you a little disappointed at the end. You will notice from my list of 6 that three of those movies do that to you.