HEAT
US, 1987, 101 minutes, Colour.
Burt Reynolds, Karen Young, Peter MacNicol?, Howard Hesseman, Diana Scarwid.
Directed by R.M.Richards.
Heat is a rather glum Burt Reynolds action film. It was written by William Goldman (Butch Cassidy, All the President's Men) from his own novel. It is a character study of a middle-aged dropout with a gambling addiction in Las Vegas. The film is also episodic, introduces a number of offbeat characters with whom the hero has to deal.
The Las Vegas settings look authentic, both night and day. The supporting cast is very good. However, Burt Reynolds is downbeat,. as is the whole film.
1. Burt Reynolds thriller, Las Vegas, the world of gambling and violence?
2. Las Vegas settings, day and night, the casinos? Action, stunts? Musical score?
3. Burt Reynolds as Mex Escalante: in the bar, coming on to the girl, the set-up and the big fight with Osgood? The irony of his friendship with Osgood and being paid for the fixed fight? Meeting Holly, knowing her when she was young, her being bashed and raped? Working for her, seeking out Daniel and the others? The confrontation with her? The interview with Cyrus, being held up as an ideal? Cassie and the casino, the money given him by Holly? The blackjack winning streak? Going for broke? Losing? Cyrus and his friendship and help? Accused of murder, questioning Daniel? The thugs attacking, the shooting of Cyrus? The long chase, the confrontation and killing? Visiting Cyrus in the hospital? His background in Vietnam, the effect, gambling addiction? The hope for Venice - and finally arriving there?
4. The episode with Osgood and his girl, the confrontation with Escalante, the fight and the unexpected victory by Osgood, his hairpiece? The girl falling for him and moving to Atlantic City?
5. Holly, her age, brutally bashed, wanting revenge, her cutting Daniel, taking the money?
6. Cyrus as nice, his aims, background, money-making, gambling, wanting Escalante to chaperone him, to teach him self-defence? The casino, his being shot, recovering?
7. Cassie and her concern at his losses in the casino? His broker friend and the jobs? Contact with the police? The casino personalities?
8. Daniel as spoilt, brutish, his lies, henchmen and killing them, his violence, Holly's attack on him, his revenge on Escalante, the violent chase, his henchmen being killed, Escalante confronting him and his killing himself?
9. Portrait of an identity, in the Las Vegas situation - to what purpose?
