On B List of Movie Reviews
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Body Heat (1981)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
10/07, 9/10, 1/21
10/07:
Kathleen Turner. William Hurt. Body Heat. The sultry neo-noir of the decade.
Lawrence Kasdan pens an average love story, but everybody puts in the effort to make it extra special through acting,
cinematography, setting, atmosphere, and mood.
William Hurt and Kathleen Turner are magnificent. Both have turned in outstanding performances throughout the 80's, but they
will forever be remembered for Body Heat. I've read rave reviews about Mickey Rourke's performance, but to tell
you the truth, he doesn't do anything for me. That's okay. Mickey Rourke will go on to do some special pictures.
All in all, of all neo-noirs made during the 80's, Body Heat is the first to see.
9/10:
My second viewing of Body Heat has caused me to drop the rating from '10' to '8'.
I don't like how the plot unfolds. It reminds me of how The Usual Suspects went down: just too linear and simple.
Nevertheless, Kathleen Turner and William Hurt are top-notch. The cinematography is breathtaking which is the chief reason for
Body Heat being the neo-noir as it is.
All in all, maybe I'll change my mind the next time I see Body Heat.
1/21:
Body Heat still holds up well but loses momentum after the murder of Edmund Walker.
Lots of people had started their careers or were in the nascent stage when the movie was made, and they're William Hurt, Mickey
Rourke, Ted Danson, Lawrence Kasdan, and Kathleen Turner in her screen debut. It's an amazing collection of new talent
in a single film. The best part is the cinematography. It's sultry in a neo-noir way. Of course, comparisons
with China Moon with Ed Harris and Madeleine Stowe are unavoidable, but this is the original, being the
Double Indemnity of the 80's.
William Hurt is perfect as Ned Racine; the mustache does the most of work for his character. However, Kathleen Turner,
a Lauren Bacall look-alike, is merely okay despite starting out well. Their chemistry is excellent during the first half, but
it's virtually gone afterwards.
What bothers me a lot about the story is how small the world is. I see Ned Racine and Matty Walker. Then, Racine's lawyer
friend and the black detective show up. A few people appear momentarily and then leave. That's it...no cops, no technicians,
and anybody else concerning the case which is hard to believe.
Prior to the murder, Ned and Matty were getting it on in a hot and heavy way. Afterwards, it's like they didn't know each
other. Both planned the scheme a lot beforehand, but neither understood what it took to keep quiet, never worrying about
their phones getting tapped or being overheard by others when discussing the events or what to do next. Either way, Ned got
taken big time, and there's no reason to feel sorry for him: he was born a fuck-up. His two friends knew the whole time
that Ned was the murderer but couldn't believe he did it.
All in all, despite some faults, Body Heat will always be regarded as a neo-noir classic.