Michael Mann’s 1995 crime thriller Heat is famous for its captivating narrative and the iconic clash between two great actors, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. The movie is set in Los Angeles and follows the actions of Vincent Hanna (portrayed by Al Pacino), a veteran detective trying to catch Neil McCauley (played by Robert De Niro), a crafty and systematic criminal masterminds who leads a team of highly skilled robbers in their daring robberies.
The movie was praised by critics for its captivating plot, powerful acting, accurate depiction of crime, and technical excellence. Heat was a hit in theaters, raking in more than $187 million around the world. Its success was in part due to the many big names that lent their acting talents to the film, such as Pacino, De Niro, Kilmer, and Voight, all of whom put forth their best performances.
Whether you’ve rewatched the movie multiple times or need some convincing to experience the classic thriller for the first time, we’ve got you!
5 Reasons Robert De Niro’s ‘Heat’ Deserves Your Time & Attention
1. Gripping Storyline
We’ve already briefed about the movie’s plot, however, the real magic is in its in-depth storyline, action, and drama. The movie is a masterpiece because of the way its main heist storyline is intricately entwined with multiple subsidiary narratives.
Neil’s burgeoning relationship with Eady, a graphic designer he meets in a bookstore; Vincent’s deteriorating marriage with Justine, who is aggrieved over Vincent’s preoccupation with his job; his stepdaughter Lauren, who is struggling with teenage depression; and Chris, Neil’s closest ally, who has a turbulent marriage to Charlene – all are cleverly integrated into the movie.
Despite the multitude of events occurring, Heat never appears overcrowded and no plotlines are left undeveloped. Every character is given a chance to stand out, yet Mann continues to center the story around the ultimate robbery and the people trying to make or prevent it from happening.
2. Stellar Cast
It is no surprise that the 1995 classic had some of Hollywood’s top stars. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro were joined by Val Kilmer, who had recently starred as Batman in Batman Forever and was about to appear in The Saint. Ashley Judd, who was becoming a household name after the success of Smoke, had been cast as Kilmer’s wife; while Natalie Portman, who had already made her mark in The Professional, would go on to star in Beautiful Girls, Mars Attacks! and the Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace.
The other cast members included the most impressive of the ’90s, featuring veteran actors from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, such as Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Amy Brenneman, Wes Studi, Hank Azaria, and Tom Noonan, along with rising stars from the ’90s and 2000s like Mykelti Williamson, Diane Venora, Dennis Haysbert, Danny Trejo, William Fichtner, Henry Rollins, Jeremy Piven, and Bud Cort.
3. Directed by one of the best in business- Michael Mann
Michael Mann’s first venture into feature films was the 1981 thriller Thief, starring James Caan, and holding many resemblances in plot and style to his later work Heat. Later, he produced Manhunter, the first time Hannibal Lecter made an appearance in cinema.
His biggest accomplishment in the 80s, however, was the massively popular TV series Miami Vice which he wrote and produced. This was later adapted into a movie starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx in 2006. The movie is also worth watching.
Mann’s impressive repertoire of films also includes The Last of The Mohicans, starring Daniel Day-Lewis in an action-packed role; The Insider, featuring powerhouses Pacino and Russell Crowe; Ali, starring the ever-radiant Will Smith; Collateral, a thrilling story with Tom Cruise; Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp; The Pale Blue Eye, staring Christian Bale; and Blackhat, which features Chris Hemsworth.
4. Brilliant Film Score
One thing that has often been neglected in regards to Heat is the soundtrack, which not only works hand-in-hand with the film but also adds another layer of feeling to it. Oscar-winning composer Elliot Goldenthal created a tense soundscape that meshes wonderfully with the spacious, dreamlike, and risky atmosphere of Los Angeles depicted in the movie.
The quieter scenes in Heat are particularly effective, as Al Pacino’s and Robert De Niro‘s characters struggle to reach out to their families but ultimately fail. The music is matched to the action scenes, but never overpowers them, leaving the sound design – especially the realistic gunshots in the iconic bank robbery – to take the spotlight.
The movie also uses some expertly chosen music from the relatively unknown techno artist Moby, with one of his most popular songs, God Moving Over the Face of the Waters, being utilized for the closing minutes of the movie and continued over the end credits.
5. Must-Watch Classic Action-Thriller
Heat marks the first time Al Pacino and Robert De Niro appeared in the same scene. You might have heard about their iconic “diner scene” in which these two antagonists have a candid conversation in which they realize that despite their differences, they have more in common than they would like to admit. Moreover, the impressive female supporting cast is the foundation of the whole movie.
