A film that 'fires' on all cylinders. And it just gets better with age.

Rating: 9/10 (13 November 2017)

Think about the best heist films, or mere scenes, that you've ever seen and look no further than this film as one of the chief inspirations for them. Heat (1995), the legendary crime-thriller film directed and written by Michael Mann (Collateral (2004), The Insider (1999)), is a tour- de-force of direction, acting and creating an atmosphere of sheer anticipation. Perhaps most surprising is its zero Oscar nominations - easily could there have been nods for Best Picture, Lead/Supporting Actor/Actress, Director and Screenplay.
Since I have seen it, there has been one scene in particular that's stayed etched in my mind and I need not regurgitate its specifics here. But anyone whose seen it remembers that legendary scene when our hero and villain finally confront one another - it's a beautiful piece of on-screen acting and features a conversation whose subtext really defines the film in a nutshell; all these guys know is the jobs they've committed too, and they're both darn good at them.
"If it's between you and some poor bastard whose wife you're gonna widow. Brother you are going down." The story is certainly a complex one because there is an undeniable sense a comraderie between Lt. Hanna and Mccauley and yet they know the second they step out of that restaurant, they're each other's prey and target. One senses it's too late for either of these guys to get out before it's too late and that is really one of the themes of the film; at one point can one be able to walk away from all they know?
I ramble on about this scene but the entire film is a masterpiece of its type - compelling performances, a tightly-wrapped story and top-notch direction. There's meticulousness to how everyone operates and that craft is shown to near perfection - it's a nod to the pacing as well that the three hour run time feels closer to two. This is one of the greats in a superb decade for crime films.