Wholly original and fascinating post-modernism

Rating: 10/10 (20 September 2005)

Michael Mann's Heat is truly a perfect movie. The acting, screenplay, cinematography, editing, and musical score tie the movie in together creating a movie experience unlike any other. The complex interdependence of the character's lives gives the movie realism and meaning to the post-modern audience. The script is taut and acute creating tension paralleled in a beautifully tragic and violent epic tale. Each time I re-watch the movie I feel I gain a deeper glimpse into the character's lives. The catch to this movie is understanding that in the post-modern universe no one is essentially in control. Here is the tragic irony because each character goes to great and costly lengths to maintain control however fails to keep it. Loneliness is a very deep and reoccurring theme that menacingly unnerves the characters and the audience alike. L.A. is a perfect setting because of the complexity of her society: economic, social, and political. Two top actors at the top of their careers giving a top performance. Essentially, there is no way further up except down and there is the beauty of the film.