A Perfect Crime Film

Rating: 10/10 (2 May 2002)

In twenty years, Michael Mann will be remembered as one of America's greatest directors. He consistently has churned out modern classics, from Thief(1981), Manhunter(1988), The Last of the Mohicans(1992) and The Insider(1999). But in my opinion, Heat is his best. It may be strange to say so about a movie with a cast that includes Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, and Jon Voight, but its the writing that gets me. Is the dialouge Mamet level? No. Maybe its not the most original plot in the world either. But the screenplay has something that almost no movies can truly claim these days- efficiency. It may seem odd to say that about a movie that is almost 3 hours long, but there is not one scene in this film that doesn't advance the story. And the subplots are clear and every single one of them is resolved before the credits. Much has been made of the first onscreen meeting of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. And when I say meeting, I mean it, as they literally share one dialouge scene together. And it is a fabulous scene. There is a reason this movie could not have been made in 1978 and had the same impact.
Whats so special about the scene is that Pacino and De Niro have essentially lived their lives and aged before our eyes, and are now very much the seasoned professionals they portray in this movie. The other strength of this movie is its action, which isn't at all what the movie is about, thereby making its setpieces that much more intense and compelling. In these scenes Mann proves that he is a born filmmaker. Its also nice to see interesting female characters, which is so rare in this kind of film. If you want a captivating experience, check this out. Had I been a movie critic in 1995, this certainly would have made my list, with Seven, Nixon