Date: Fri 16-Aug-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: CHRISL

Illustration: C

Location: A8

Quick Words:

Heat-DeNiro-Pacino-Playing

Full Text:

(rev "Heat" for Now Playing, 8/16/96)

Now PLaying-

"Heat" Offers A Reward For Patience

By Trey Paul Alexander III

After last week's railing against the plot (or lack thereof) in Twister (which

is still playing at the Edmond Town Hall theater), I've decided to narrow my

sights on Heat , a flick from late last year that is currently one of the top

five video rentals in the country. If ever there was a movie which could

understandably go lax on the storytelling end, this would be that film.

Hollywood is always in pursuit of a big "event" picture, one with either a

high concept (i.e., Independence Day - Earth vs the aliens!) or superstar

billing (such as Harrison Ford and Sean Connery together as Indy, Jr and Sr in

the last Indiana Jones picture). Heat definitely qualifies as the latter, with

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro sharing the big screen for the first time (they

both appeared in The Godfather, Part II but never in the same scene). You can

picture some slap-happy Tinsel Town exec proclaiming, "We've got Al Pacino and

Robert De Niro in the same picture! Who cares what it's about?!" Thankfully,

cooler heads prevailed. Heat materializes into an engrossing, well-told tale

that is more a psychological crime drama than a star-driven action vehicle.

In simple terms, Heat casts De Niro as the crook and Pacino as the cop hunting

him down. Neil McCauley (a cooly restrained De Niro) leads a band of ex-cons

in a series of precise heists that baffle the Los Angeles authorities. On

McCauley's trail is a dogged homicide detective, Vincent Hanna (Pacino, all

strut and swagger), whose fierce determination to get his man has resulted in

a ragged personal life. Hanna is currently with wife number three (Diane

Venora), and is realizing the third time might not be the charm, either.

What becomes so interesting about Heat is its keen concern with the

motivations of its characters. Each of McCauley's three cohorts is married,

and he is noticeably troubled by the potential for a lack of focus among his

crew. McCauley even lectures one of his pals (Val Kilmer), reminding him they

were taught early on that one should never become so attached to anything that

you won't walk away from it in thirty seconds if the heat came down.

That's a key moment in Heat because it reveals a major theme, one that applies

both for the crooks and the cops. Heat examines the cost of one's dedication

to his profession, whether it be in law enforcement or law breaking.

Throughout the movie nearly every major male character is paired with a female

character (usually one of the wives, who are detached from, yet affected by,

the careers of their spouses), thus allowing viewers to see the repercussions

of the characters' actions upon themselves and the lives of others.

Hanna's consuming commitment to his job puts his marriage at risk, while

McCauley's effectiveness is largely due to the fact that he's a loner,

unencumbered by emotional attachments. But he tires of that solitary life and

seeks out female companionship, only to find his budding relationship may put

his criminal career in jeopardy.

At nearly three hours long (it takes up two videotapes), Heat requires some

patience; Pacino and De Niro face each other only twice in the film, once

about midway and finally during the climax. But each meeting is worth the

wait, with their first moment together a pivotal scene that reveals a kindred

motivation between the two characters. Also, director Michael Mann ( The Last

of the Mohicans ) gives us some expertly staged action sequences spaced

strategically throughout the picture (the bank heist scene in particular is

quite impressive and unique).

Heat is rated R for violence and frequent profanity. It rewards a patient

audience by offering an uncommonly rich palate of characters and the various

ingredients that make them tick.