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Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Mykelti Williamson, Wes Studi, Ted Levine, Dennis Haysbert, William Fichtner, Natalie Portman, Tom Noonan, Kevin Gage, Hank Azaria, Danny Trejo, Jon Voight

Directed by: Michael Mann

I m pretty sure most of you are pretty familiar with the legendary Hand in Hand climax of the film. It was truly a tour de force performance by both the legends. But the film would be nothing in front of the work that Michael Mann as a screenwriter had to put for the characters. There stories and expression almost feel like they have been living this life for years. They have become so accustomed to the characters in the film they almost wash off all the faces of their stardom. The films start Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in a movie that will truly define their collaboration. I can’t believe if they can create this chemistry once again.

The story behind the Heat is a simple one of a cop staking his life to catch a thief but just don’t let the storyline stop you from watching this masterpiece. There are some illustrious set pieces in the film that will make many of the action films coming out from Hollywood pale in comparison. One of the biggest scenes is the shootout in the street it was inspired by true events. But the whole scene was shot with such eye for detail and authenticity that many were stunned by the graphic nature of the incident. The film was truly way ahead of its time considering the lavish use of jump cuts and some really unbelievable camera work. The director is surely high on style but he also brings in a lot of human condition through dialog. Michael Mann is man who knows how to take the best angle for a situation. There is no denying that many people might find it glorifying. But in my view it is polishing the violence to make it even more effective. He is surely not pro violence but his characters make conscious decisions that are totally demeaning to the concerns of society. His characters are shot so well that they act as motifs for many of the ideals that our society has grown to agree with.

One of my favorite sequences in the film is how Al Pacino consoles the mother of an underage prostitute. The whole scene is a test on the human condition and raises many questions on how the violence in the world and the struggles of a small household can really affect the society. Another thing about the film is the brilliant supporting who are aided with some unforgettable quotes. For instance Natalie Portman sits alone in a street while her mothers boyfriend played by Al Pacino comes around and asks what she doing there. That when she says I just wanted to be alone. This is the case for all the characters in this movie they are people who want to live alone so that they can do what they only know to do.

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