The human nature of police and thieves

Rating: Null/10 (8 February 2002)

Around the middle of Michael Mann's 3-hour heist epic there is a simple scene between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Two men sit down at a table in the middle of a stylish L.A. restaurant. On one end of the table is Vincent (Pacino), a cop who is losing his family due to his dedication. On the other end is Neil (De Niro), an expert thief who puts aside all personal aspects of his life for a score. As they two men began talking they each find out that they don't necessarily like what their doing its just the only thing they really know how to do. It comes natural to them and each of them is the best at their chosen profession. As the conversation continues Vincent and Neil begin to look more and more like two friends sitting down for a drink. They look like everyone else in the restaurant and yet they are very different breed. What makes a human being become thief or a detective, instead of an accountant? Here lies the brilliance in "Heat" as it differs from every other cops and robbers movie by looking at the human nature of these people.
Vincent Hanna: You know, we are sitting here like a couple of regular fellows and if I have to go out there and put you down, I'll tell you, I won't like it. But if it's between you and some poor bastard whose wife you're gonna turn into a widow, brother, you are going down.
Neil McCauley: There is a flip side to this coin. What if you do get me boxed in and I will have to put you down? Cause no matter what, you will not get in my way. We've been face to face, yeah. But I will not hesitate, not for a second
A question arises when you look at movies in the crime genre. Why do we care for these criminals? We shouldn't feel anything for Butch Cassidy, Verbal Kent, or even Bonnie and Clyde but we do. It is because we go throughout the film learning about their personal lives. It doesn't matter that these people kill and rob others, they become our friends. Robert De Niro's character Neil is cold and unfeeling. His life is reflected in the way he lives, his house has barely any furniture in it. Neil is prepared at any moment to say goodbye to anything in his former life and create a new one.
Neil: A guy once told me, "Do not have any attachments, do not have anything in your life you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you spot the heat around the corner."
It is through the meeting of a young design artist, a subtly performance from Amy Brenneman, that you see there is more to Neil. You learn Neil has traveled frequently and plans a future life away from crime. The entire cast has deep personalities and backgrounds such as this; even Dennis Haysbert's minor role of the get-away driver is given depth. The acting is solid throughout as Pacino's wild cop balances De Niro's quiet thief. The camera work creates a documentary feel and makes it seem as if you are really there. Michael Mann does not force the viewer to choose sides between the cops or the robbers and that brings realism to the movie, everyone has their problems. "Heat" in the end does not preach morals it simply tells a gritty story. 9.5/10 By John Francis