Heat - (Mann;1995;USA) - ****
A crime epic detailing two men on opposite sides of the law with a mutual respect for the other's skill.
One of Mann's two masterworks, the other being The Insider. This is his second best film. Many complain about the length because they overlook the fact it's a crime epic. No one seems to complain with Spartacus, Gladiator, or Gone With the Wind. Anyway, everything in here is top notch. Excellent dialogue, especially in the poignant diner scene with Pacino and DeNiro, who both give great performances in their roles. The music and cinematography are also up there, along with the supporting cast that includes Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, and Tom Sizemore. A fine example of filmmaking, containing all the necessary ingredients. As I have said before, the last few frames before the credits are perfect.
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