THE HEAT
US, 2013, 117 minutes, Colour.
Sandra Bullock, Melissa Mc Carthy, Demien Bichir, Jane Curtin, Michael Rappaport.
Directed by Paul Feig.
There have been any number of male buddy-movies, especially police-partner comedies and dramas. They were very popular in the 1970s in cinemas and on television - and have been ever since. Audiences are very used to the male-bonding of the partners, Starsky and Hutch and co, and are very familiar with the male characters, macho attitudes, and, of course, the way they handle (and mishandle) suspects. There have not been so many female buddy-movies, or television programs. The main one that comes to mind is Cagney and Lacey.
The Heat offers a little compensation, featuring Sandra Bullock and Melissa Mc Carthy has a very odd-couple, female pairing of investigators, the first from the FBI, the second a detective in Boston.
This of course offers the opportunity for audiences to make comparison about males and their dealing with crime situations and females. Maybe. Bullock and Mc Carthy are not your typical law enforcement agents. That is enough in itself. However, the film offers the opportunity for them to act in sometimes outlandish ways, mirroring (realistically and satirically) masculine behaviour.
So, underlying the comedy, there are some serious investigation stories of drug dealing and murder. It means that the film offers a murder mystery, with a somewhat surprising twist at the end.
However, it is enjoying the performances of Bullock and Mc Carthy, each expert in her own style, that make the difference for the heat.
Audiences have become accustomed to see Sandra Bullock, a really glamorous star, now in her forties, in very serious roles but know that she can do ironic comedy like the Miss Congeniality films. On the other hand, Melissa Mc Carthy, especially in more recent years, has established herself: exploiting her physical size and manner, as the kind of slob with a loudmouth, less than scrupulous in manner in dealing with criminals, barging in, and making her more uptight partner quite embarrassed. She has done it in Bridesmaids, Identity Thief, This is 40 and Hangover Part III. She may well repel some audiences. But her skill in creating this kind of character and her aplomb in carrying it off means that many audiences who may not like to meet her on the street will enjoy the outrageous behaviour - while, perhaps, thinking she has gone too far in language and sexual references and behaviour.
Most of the film is on the Boston streets, and there is quite some toughness, even moments of savagery, in the behaviour of the drug lords in the city. Ultimately, the women get their man, though not without some very tight and dangerous moments.
And it is clear from the beginning the Sandra Bullock will eventually become much tougher, less uptight and duty and rules bound than she is. On the other hand, it is also clear from the beginning that Melissa Mc Carthy is going to mellow or we are going to see a more tender character underneath the bravado surface. This is especially true because of her relationship with her eccentric family and the involvement of her brother, Michael Rappaport, with the drug chiefs. Her angry mother is played sharply by Jane Curtin.
A lot of the dialogue is also very funny, Bullock’s irony, Mc Carthy’s one liners, when one is sometimes surprised at the joke one is laughing at.
The two actors work very well together and it will be no surprise if there is to be a sequel.
1. The popularity of police stories? Emphasis on Heat? A buddy movie? Female officers?
2. The stars, as police, audience expectations, partners, cases, clashes, reconciliation, humour?
3. New York and the opening, familiar? Transition to Boston, the city, the police precincts, apartments, the streets, clubs, warehouses, the harbour? The musical score?
4. An odd couple story, the conventions of this genre, serious and funny, the clashes, reconciliation, sentiment?
5. The contrast between Sandra Bullock and Melissa Mc Carthy, in every way, their flaws, qualities, attitude towards the police, going into action?
6. The opening case, the policemen, Ashburn in charge, the rules, 1 to 3, reactions by the book, the drugs, the men?
7. Ashburn with her superiors, with other personnel, seeming to be obnoxious, wanting a promotion, alone, her divorce, at home, the cat – and the neighbours and the later joke?
8. Ashburn being sure of herself, the transfer to Boston, the FBI superiors and their attitudes? Her superiority, the authorities’ reaction? Levy and is welcome, interest in Ashburn? The romantic touch?
9. Mullins, her appearance, language, attitudes, the street? Her attitude towards Jason, keeping him in jail out of mischief? The rest of the family, their attitude towards her,blaming her? Her interaction with superiors? With the criminals? Chasing, her conducting interviews, the contrast with Ashburn, her feeling the intrusion? The violent methods, success?
10. The drug situation in Boston, the criminals, Rojas, his underlings, Simon Larkin as the mystery boss, murders?
11. Mullins, the black man and suspect, the chase – and the later repercussions? Information? The prisoners in the cells, the interrogations, her attack on Ashburn? Issues of jurisdiction?
12. The DEA Agents, their help, presence, the club, the owner, the phone bug? The presence and absence of Larkin,
13. Jason, getting out of prison, as Mullins brother, the family blaming her, the visit, the meal, recriminations, characters? Jason getting the tip? The murder, the body, the chemicals, leading to the plant? The further murder, Julian, criminal, interrogation by Mullins – and the focus on testicles?
14. The Bar, Ashburn letting her hair down, the night together, drinking, songs, dance, behaviour, bonding? The morning after? Wayne, the car keys, there watching, the explosion?
15. The Threat to the family, transferring them to the Motel?
16. The shipment, Jason and his connections, the rift between Mullins in Ashburn, reconciliation?
17. Their being captured, the Revelation of the DEA, the partner shooting the other, the fight, escapes, deaths? The FBI police chiefs?
18. The citation for Ashburn? Her going back to Boston, the bond with Mullins – and the picture of the cat!
