A Seminal Crime Thriller for its Time

Rating: 8/10 (20 January 2019)

4 February 2009. "Heat" when it came out in 1995 had it all, the action, the in your face cold bloody killings, the twists, and most important of all the relational character subplots, including husband and wives, father and daughter, and first loves. What this movie had back then, however, has lost some of its elegance, its sharp delivery and insightful directed scenes. Now, "Heat" seems to offer some overly dramatized scenes, characters, overly literary dialogue that is more for dramatic impact than reality-based conversation.
Since 1995, we have improvements in a number of genres that may offer tribute to this movie's influence, though, "Heat" takes a lot from "The Godfather" (1972) in terms of the layered depth of familial and relational elements of crime thrillers. "Shadowboxer" (2005) has strong criminal character performances. "Bourne Identity" (2002) for sharp and intense action scenes. "A History of Violence" (2005) for relational and graphic violence and sex. "The Aire I Breathe" (2007) for hard core criminal evil and emotional life and death catharsis and twists. "Matchstick Men" (2003) for the ultimate betrayal and haunting loss. "American Beauty" (2000) for dysfunctional family relationships. "Collateral" (2004) and "The Matador" (2005) for a more fascinating badguys. "Gone Baby Gone" (2007) for a more convoluted crime thriller.
**SPOILER** Today, in hindsight, like a director's cut, what if De Niro actually got into the car? Based on the script, he would have likely gotten away. Why didn't the the airport landing lights blind Al Pacino like they did De Niro when he was shooting at De Niro?
Unfortunately the subplots were underdeveloped. The relationship that De Niro has doesn't offer sufficient relational bonding, connection moments. Al Pacino's daughter isn't given sufficient screen time to develop her behavioral performance that led up to her climatic scene.
Some of the amazing elements to this movie was Jon Voight's performance that was great acting in character. Amy Brenneman goes onto star in the television hit show "Judging Amy" and then "Private Practice." Ashley Judd continues to perform and recently premiered in "Helen" at the Sundance Film Festival (2009). Dennis Haysbert goes onto to become the President of the United States in the hit show "24" and then star in "The Unit" both on television. Natalie Portman continues on from this her third movie to star in a number of major film features, including "Star Wars: Episode Two." Tom Noonan continued as a character actor to too many movies to mention (but my favorite was his performance in "Manhunter" (1986). William Fichtner goes onto the television hit show "Prison Break." Even Xander Berkeley went onto play in "24" and probably one of the most prolific characters actors today. Even Jeremy Piven had a role as Dr. Bob went on to win television Emmys.
"Heat" may be considered a benchmark crime thriller loaded with a number of memorable actors and actresses.