Not to be confused with the cops-and-robbers epic starring DeNiro and Pacino, Heat (1986) is based on a novel written by William Goldman, Oscar-winning screenwriter of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid and The Princess Bride. I remember reading about it in his book, Adventures In The Screen Trade, and how the film adaptation went through several directors, and even resulted in a punch up between star Burt Reynolds and final credited director Dick Richards. I’ve heard good word about it in recent years, particularly after Reynolds’ passing, and was keen, particularly since it can be classified as an eighties neo-noir, a sub-genre that I’m a sucker for. Reynolds plays a tough guy named Nick Esclante (its vaguely implied he’s Mexican?) security expert and “chaperone” living in Las Vegas who seems to know everyone, doing odd jobs and work for hire. A few storylines reveal themselves, episodic and disjointed in a way a novel can be, as Burt helps out a brutalised sex worker (Karen Young – Adriana’s FBI contact from The Sopranos) against a mob boss’ son who left her for dead. The heart of the movie becomes the developing relationship between Reynolds and Peter MacNicol (Janosz from Ghostbusters II) as a nerdy tech millionaire who wants to hire him so that he can receive lessons in being tough. Reynolds is surly and focused, not winking as much to the camera, and he rises to the level of good acting by MacNicol and Young in their supporting roles. Effective action sequences happen but even better is the nighttime Vegas vibe and the stretch where Reynolds’ gambling problem is recognised over one long night. It’s not perfect and at times feels like a TV movie pilot with some flat scenes, and then in other moments has a strong visual noirish style. Adjust your expectations on whether you’re a fan of Reynolds or 1980s neo-noir. Recommended. Another version was made of Goldman’s novel, Wild Card with Jason Statham, which I did enjoy but not as much as Heat (it doesn’t match the Reynolds-MacNicol friendship).
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