D.J. Haza presents the next entry in his series of films to watch before you die…
Heat, 1995.
Directed by Michael Mann.
Starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Ashley Judd, Mykelti Williamson, Wes Studi, Ted Levine, Dennis Haysbert, William Fichtner, Natalie Portman, Danny Trejo and Jeremy Piven.
Heat is the cat and mouse tale of LAPD homicide detective Lt. Vincent Hanna’s (Pacino) pursuit of professional criminal Neil McCauley (De Niro). Hanna is a veteran cop who is always committed to getting his man, even at the cost of his personal life. McCauley too is committed to his profession and has made a vow that he cannot have anything in his life that he couldn’t just stand up and walk away from if he feels the heat on him. With such dedication coming from each of them, the chase twists and turns through Los Angeles with class and style.
Writer and director Michael Mann had been trying to make Heat for over a decade and had previously written and directed the made-for-TV film L.A. Takedown in order to try and create a simplified version of the film and build support for his project. His hard work paid off when Heat went on to make over $187 million dollars worldwide.
Heat is a film you must see before you die as it is one only a few films that contains both screen legends Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Heat is the pick of the bunch by far though and the scene in which the two men sit opposite each other in a road side café and engage in a battle of wits is one of the great scenes in modern Hollywood, with both actors being close to their best for the low key showdown.
D.J. Haza
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Originally published March 13, 2012. Updated April 10, 2018.
