So after the long Bank Holiday weekend, Tuesday Night is Film Night is here and looking forward to some Sandra Bullock action, as she appears alongside Melissa McCarthy in the crime based comedy;
The Heat
What can we say about The Heat? Well, it was 117 minutes of sheer, unadulterated bliss! Yes indeed, nearly two hours of side splitting laughter, segued with an underlying buddy cop movie, that probably could have stood on it's on, without the laughs. Just brilliant! Generally you read the DVD cover review quote with a pinch of salt, in the case of The Heat, when they say; "Simply the funniest double act in ages", they are not joking.
All you need to know of the storyline is that; "an uptight FBI Special Agent is paired with a foul-mouthed Boston cop to take down a ruthless drug lord". (Thanks IMDB for that brief synopsis).
That FBI Special Agent is Agent Ashburn, portrayed by the gorgeous Sandra Bullock, who is coupled with licentious Boston cop; Mullins played by the not-so-gorgeous, but extremely funny and talented Melissa McCarthy. Ashburn is precise, perfect and gets results, however for that reason, her New York colleagues don't like or appreciate her, as a result she is posted to Boston to work on a drugs case, this is where she meets her juxtaposed partner in crime prevention; Mullins. Mullins is everything that Ashburn is not, the only thing they have in common is that they both get results, but now they have to forget their differences and work together to bring down the drug lord and that's where the fun starts.
The film is essentially a buddy movie, albeit a strange partnership, but that is why it works so well. The actual story itself could easily work as a drama, all the elements are there, but the sheer brilliance of The Heat is that they take all the seriousness away from gang members being shot in the head, for instance and make it extremely funny! Strange, but true. The laughs come thick and fast, especially from Melissa McCarthy who is just hilarious. However, not to be outdone Sandra Bullock also portrays her character with much hilarity and this builds throughout the film and it just gets funnier and funnier.
Much kudos should go the talented writer Katie Dippold and the director Paul Feig for putting together such a great story, taking a gritty subject and transposing it into an hilarious comedy, with just a modicum of pathos. Bullock is just superb and is a real joy to watch, not only for her stunning, well honed good looks, but also the way that she really gets into the character, she portrays each level of Ashburn from her initial FBI perfection in the opening scenes, right through her drunken antics in the bar scene and even to her clumsy ribaldry in one brilliant scene when the story hits a low for Mullins and Ashburn.
The two characters just gel so well, it is a joy to watch them both, no one could stop laughing long enough to fall asleep this week. And we're running out of superlatives to describe this fantastic film, brilliant sublime acting from the two leading ladies, a great storyline, fantastic supporting cast, plus a great soundtrack keeps the film bouncing along.
Really this review should just say; "Watch The Heat, you will not be disappointed".
TNiFN Rating 92%
IMDB Link
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