Heat, which opened in theaters on Dec. 15, 1995, is a modern masterpiece of crime cinema, a meticulously crafted thriller that pits two iconic actors, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, against each other in a cat-and-mouse game of epic proportions.
Pacino (fresh off an acclaimed performance in The Insider) plays Vincent Hanna, an intense and driven detective, while De Niro portrays Neil McCauley, a charismatic and cunning criminal mastermind. The two actors deliver powerhouse performances in their first on-screen performance together, their characters locked in a battle of wills that is both thrilling and mesmerizing.
Michael Mann‘s direction is masterful, with a keen eye for detail and a flair for the dramatic. The film’s action sequences are intense and realistic, while the quieter moments are filled with palpable tension. The screenplay, co-written by Mann and Ed Solomon, is sharp and intelligent, with dialogue that crackles with authenticity.
Ensemble Cast
In addition to its legendary leads, the supporting cast of Heat helped to put the film over the top with fans and critics alike.
Val Kilmer shined as Chris Shiherlis, a member of McCauley’s crew with a gambling addiction and trouble at home in his relationship with his wife Charlene, played by Ashley Judd. Kilmer also starred in the top grossing film of this year, Batman Forever starring Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones.
Amy Brenneman plays Eady, McCauley’s love interest.
Jon Voight plays Nate, McCauley’s fence and trusted confidant.
Tom Sizemore, Danny Trejo, Dennis Haysbert round out McCauley’s crew.
Natalie Portman starred as Lauren Gustafson, Hanna’s stepdaughter.
Mykelti Williamson as Sergeant Bobby Drucker, Ted Levine as Detective Mike Bosko and Wes Studi as Detective Sammy Casals are Hanna’s inner circle in the LAPD as they hunt McCauley’s crew.
Jeremy Piven, who would go on to fame and acclaim as Ari Gold in the popular HBO series Entourage, appears as the doctor McCauley takes Shiherlis to after being shot.
Reception for Heat
Heat grossed $8.4 million in its opening weekend, trailing Jumanji ($11.1 million) starring Robin Williams and Toy Story ($10.98 million) with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen en route to a total gross of $187.4 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half out of four stars in his review, saying “It’s not just an action picture. Above all, the dialogue is complex enough to allow the characters to say what they’re thinking: They are eloquent, insightful, fanciful, poetic when necessary. They’re not trapped with cliches. Of the many imprisonments possible in our world, one of the worst must be to be inarticulate – to be unable to tell another person what you really feel.”
Todd McCarthy in his review in Variety wrote, “Stunningly made and incisively acted by a large and terrific cast, Michael Mann’s ambitious study of the relativity of good and evil stands apart from other films of its type by virtue of its extraordinarily rich characterizations and its thoughtful, deeply melancholy take on modern life.”
Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Lasting Legacy
Heat is more than just a crime thriller; it’s a study of obsession, morality, and the human condition. The film’s exploration of the complex relationship between Hanna and McCauley is particularly compelling, as the two men share a mutual respect, even as they are destined to clash.
With its stunning visuals, unforgettable performances, and a gripping story, Heat is a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences. It’s a must-watch for fans of crime cinema and a testament to the power of great filmmaking.
