Heat (1995) Analysis - Essay Example

Heat (1995) Analysis al Affiliation Table of Contents Works Cited 13 Heat ranks as one of the best crime genres produced in Hollywood. The film focuses on the loneliness of carrier-obsessed individuals with a focus on crime. The inclusion of McCauley (Neil) and Vincent (De niro) is one of the greatest achievements by Michael Mann. Michael brings out the best in these two characters. Heat was the first crime drama they featured together. The lighting in the film compliments the main theme of the film that is; loneliness and carrier obsession. Loneliness is the experience of lack of company or confidant. Loneliness is one of the major themes reflected in the Film “Heat” as depicted in the lives of both the detectives and criminals. Hanna is a police detective who is highly interested in bringing the criminal activities of De Niro and his group to an end. In the quest to complete his mission, Hanna faces several difficulties as well as issues in the family. On the other hand, De Niro if quite successful in his endeavors but admits of the feeling of loneliness. The two individuals are obsessed with their carriers and encounter loneliness in different instances, in the movie. This research introduces the film by reviewing it general storyline. Crime has incorporation in the film. The work of the detective is clearly stated and the hurdles to face in the search for fight crime in Los Angeles. The research tries to bring out the effects of work ethics and the way commitments affect different people in their line of duty. This research reviews the film ‘Heat’ focusing mainly on the elements of filming and they have been put together to bring out best quality views that concur with the film’s theme. The report analyses camera movements and it is of use to compliment other elements in the movie. The sound quality and perfect inclusion in the film have a clear analysis in the research paper’s body. The research also analyses Cinematography as used in the film, ‘Heat’ how the cinematographer was able to present real life experiences of different characters in the film. This has accomplishment by looking into the film’s main theme and how the cinematographer was able t o presents this theme to attract the attention n of public. The research reviews how the producer was able to combine the professionalism of the crew including the actors, writers, cinematographers, directors and the engineering team to produce such quality work. The research paper concludes by giving the setbacks of combining drama and crime in the film eliminating it from thriller category. The conclusion provides the reader with the advantages of interchanging scenes between crime and personal lives. The research recommends on the significant improvements that could of origin in the film to make it more captivating and of high interest. The paper further identifies drama as depicted in the interaction between Hanna and De Niro. Introduction Heat is the first film that features Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. It is a 1995 production under the direction of Michael Mann. This special film places Michael Mann in Hollywood production map. The film portrays the relationship between criminal and a detective and they are perfect in their while in the real sense they struggle with their personal lives. Palcino (Vincent Hanna) is a detective who is constantly investigating the criminal activities of a thief ‘De Niro (Neil McCauley). Neil is guided by one rule throughout his career “when you experience heat, you make a step ahead and never attach yourself to anything you cannot forget in 30 seconds." This rule enables him to avoid commitments in life that may jeopardize his career as a master thief. On the other hand, detective is fully committed to his career and believes he can end Neil’s criminal activities in Los Angeles. This very dynamic film sustains the interesting and provocative tension and suspense. There is anticipation in the view of two main characters in the audience play side. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino make use of their character difference in the scenes to enhance the personality difference of the two men as in the movie. Some details in the analysis of the roles of De Niro and Pacino alongside their performances in the film elicit several feelings of empathy to the target viewers. The cinematography display of acting styles and skills completely match the screenplay of full character embodiment. The two individuals are perfectionist in their respective professions but struggle with their private lives. Hanna had undergone through two broken marriages and his struggling to keep his current marriage stable. De Niro, on the other hand, is completely obsessed with his career hence cannot commit to any woman regardless of the feelings he has towards her. This has evidence when he is planning to do his last robbery when he comes across a ready woman with commitment to marry him. De Niro’s work code denies him the chance of marriage to a woman. The theme of the film portrays Niro and Hanna’s lives as they pursue to complete their respective tasks. These contradicting lifestyles become messier as both characters plan to execute their final missions. Despite the domination of action in the movie and one of the best-planned back robbery and shootout in the film industry, Heat portrays the aspect of drama in the personal lives of the two main characters. The film also ends with the tragic death of Neil, which is not for seen by the public. Vincent is obsessed with his career and still wants to resolve his marriage issues while Neil is successful in almost everything he does. Neil is also capable of acquiring everything he wants and most of his missions are successful. Neil’s life his, however, filled with so much loneliness limiting his happiness. Both characters live a painful, sad life irrespective of their achievement; they have success in their carriers. However, event that both characters are actively searching for fulfillment of their sad lives is in the wrong places. Cinematography is the ability to combine best camera and video movements in production. Cinematography is clearly portrays the film ‘Heat’ in different aspects. Camera movement is such that it complements the theme of the film (loneliness and crime). The sound quality in the film is complete with varying background music to suit the activities of particular scenes. The background music in the first shots of the film is slow indicating the loneliness of the city at night. During the shot out after their first heist, the background music has perfect integration into the scenes to suit the needs of the public. The film’s theme is loneliness and crime. The film portrays the loneliness of the city as well as the characters. For example, all the characters are successful in their carriers that develop a superseding obsession making their personal lives full of emptiness. The city has a message for a lonely alley by showing a single car driving through Los Angeles and empty airport runways. Loneliness has further reflection in a scene where Neil is looking at the sea aimlessly with gun placed on the table. Crime is highly portrayed in the film by a murder and robbery series committed by Neil and his crew. Drama is highly depicted in various instances, in the movies as two main characters interact. The detective is supposed to arrest the criminals on spotting them; in this case, however, there is a lengthy interaction between the two characters. Hanna and De Niro communicate effectively as they discuss on the different aspects of their carriers. In real life, the activities of the detective are expected to be more successful as compared to the activities of the criminal. In the film, De Niro is effective in executing his activities while Hanna is not as successful. Film Elements Production of the film, ‘Heat’ involves combination of the next film elements to bring out quality as organized by Michael Mann: Cinematography, editing, acting and sound effects. All these elements have the best propagation to bring out an irresistible movie. Both Pacino and De Niro execute a compelling screen presence with historical play for the roles of good and bad people in this impressive film. The major film elements include cinematography, effective use of music, excellent camera movements, photography, editing and acting. The production of Heat film combines all the major elements of the film to bring out the most interesting film that reflects real life activities. This film also presents a great combination of visceral, textual and other film elements, which fits, in the same class of the main theme of the film, which is loneliness. Both Vincent and Neil have the essence of loneliness even though they have direct interactions with other people on daily basis. Mann’s portrait for Los Angeles is mainly through the elements of overpopulation though isolation silent milieu dominates the main film elements. Cinematography Cinematography according to its use in ‘Heat’ is the process of combining motion as well scenery elements in the film to bring out the anticipated effect in the film. Cinematography effects in the film ‘Heat” is reflected in the following elements: photography and camera movement. Cinematography is one of the reasons why director Mann’s movie Heat has a distinct and effusive critical positive response. The cast is solid and character roles match is excellent. This movie exploits the worthiness and stereotype of all the cops and robbers scene analogy. There is perfect actor-character match, which casts a false note strike throughout the whole movie. The cinematography of this movie also places it in the best seller due to the costars acting and point of interest. This movie has a legacy to be the first movie to bring Pacino and De Niro together on screen with perfect editing, public capturing with proper personalities and intense propagation of acting style. Photography All the scenes in the film start by providing the public with a sense of location. This has proven from a slow start, which complements the film’s theme. The film starts with a single car moving along a Los Angeles highway representing the loneliness of the city. The photographer ensures an aerial view to giving the viewer the general emptiness in the city. Heat is an epic film hence establishing shots provide it with the needed relevance. The remaining scenes take short and medium after the establishing shots are completed. The period taken by other scenes creates a sense of depth in the film that ensures that the viewer interacts efficiently with the characters in the film. The cinematographer ensures that there is a concrete relationship between preceding scenes to bring out the main theme of the film. For example, most of the conversations between the two main character choice from specified social distance and their facial expressions are of clear focus. This allows the public to notice the mistrust existing between the two characters. The space needed between Neil and Zant has clear indicators during their conversation where the photographer ensures that the camera captures their expression as they conduct their personal businesses. The film also comprises a series of high angle shots especially after the action has a start. For example: in the scene where Neil’s gunman (Chris Shiherlis) is shooting at detective Zant, The high angle shots are meant to emphasize on the situation Zant’s crew finds themselves. They have run out of escape ideas since the shootout has complete dominion by Neil’s crew. The telephone conversation between the main characters enhances the use of complimenting background colors such as grey and green. Neil is having coffee in a cafe filled with white lighting while Zant is in a dark office with minimal lighting coming from the windows. The scene ends with a completely dark office at the end of the conversation. On the other hand, Neil is still in the brightly lit café. This contrasts the situation both characters find themselves in after the telephone conversation. The darkness that eludes Zant’s office is an indication of the attempted murder on Zant. The bright lighting at the cafe indicates Neil’s perfect lifestyle. On the screen, the movie Heat shows cool photography in a very spectacular way. It makes an individual acquire complete visual imagination of the real events through its photography. Camera movements Fluidity in camera movement, in the original scenes of the film, is a factor to consider. The track’s movement has a clear point by the slow movement of the camera. Dan ensures that the camera moves in conjunction with the speed of the track. The smooth movement of the camera compliments the tracking movement, while it pulls into the parking lot. The vertical movement o f cars and the characters show major camera movements in the film during action scenes. The camera moves with relation to the speed of the cars in which the criminals are using during the shootout. There is a clear reflection of the major action shown in the film through accurate and professional camera movements. The angle of the camera varies with speed of the performance. For instance in the scene where zant’s gunman is hit by McCauley’s car, the camera moves slowly to give an aerial view of the situation. There is a fast movement of the camera immediately the gunman takes his gun. The camera moves close to him to give the viewer a clear view of the situation he involves himself. Interchanging camera movements between the two main characters ensures that the public gets to understand the loneliness experienced by Zant and Neil as pursuing their respective goals. During the action scenes, the camera moves close and away from the characters, this plays the role of ensuring sequence of the action. There is another shot that plays a great role in displaying the action and sequence. The track where there is an escape from the crime scene, the camera first moves to show the front view of the track and then moves away to show its aerial view. The camera movements are of professional integration with the speed of the track. (Betsy) (Neil McCauley.) (Barson) Film Editing The movie Heat has clean editing services from a well-qualified crew. William Goldenberg, Dov Hoenig, Pasquale Buba and Tom Rolf represent the film editing team. Most of the scenes in the film start, in an average of five seconds for establishment of their original dialog. The film has fascinating editing to portray an amazing spectacle. The movie manages to combine drama, crime flick, and an action movie all majestically edited to present a cool epic. Proper editing enables the audience to have clear perception of action scenes. The film duration has reduction to an average of two seconds while the film progresses to other scenes. The speed of the scenes increases further during the action but is minimal after the shootout. Editing of the major scenes in the film has intention to establish a close relationship of the film’s events. The scenes are arranged t o bring out the drama in the lives of Neil and Zant. Loneliness is of emphasis during edition where Los Angeles has portrait as a silent city. This is a complete contradiction to the reality in Los Angeles. This is because the city has characterization by a set of projects, therefore, it is hard to find an empty highway and deserted airport. Parallel editing has enhancement during the telephone conversation. The viewer receives the situation at the cafe as well as the office at the same time. This editing allows the viewer to get a look at the different activities carried out by Neil and Zant. The film is thus composure of excellent photography and sound effects with careful edition to provide the best movie. Sound designs The film starts with the sound effects from the traffic and the car radio. The music volume increases as the car halts while the crew is gathering to execute the robbery. Music has volume decrease during conversations throughout the film to ensure that the viewer follows the conversations effectively. The shootout sound has clear presentation in the action scenes. The producer ensured that there is variation in the sound of the gun about the gun used. The scene where Neil shoots at Zant’s gang member from the car, a big bang accompaniment is a point to note. This is a reflection of a real life situation since a gun produces higher bangs when fired in a small enclosure space than open space. The music volume is also of enhancement to march the activities in the film. An action scene has a fast music accompaniment while dramatic scenes accompany a slow music. The great focus on this movie goes on sound relation and synchronization to insinuate emotional concept in contextual sound significance. In the robbery scene, there is proper employment of music to create some emotional trigger. The gunshots transient peaks are beyond theoretical sound production. In practical purpose, the sound design to involve weapons attracts a huge layer of different sound composition. The film sound design is all about reality on illusion creation but a mode of making the right sound levels. Acting analysis Michael Mann did a great job of including Neil and Palcino in the same script. These are renowned talented characters whose characters fits perfectly y in the film. The two individual make the film to be a superhuman battle bringing out its dramatic aspect. Michael’s real life interaction with detectives provides him with great knowhow of the crime world. All the characters in the film ensure that the film presents the aspects of crime and loneliness as the films main theme. There is drama evidence in the film but requires the public to be extremely keen to notice such scene. The scene where Al Palcino is talking to the Neil presents a rare situation in life. This is because the two individuals are completely in contradicting carriers. Neil is a cop who is fully dedicated to ending the criminal activities of Zant’s gang. The discussion enables the two characters to share on their daily experiences. Drama is further reflected in the film where the lifestyles of Neil and Zant. Both characters are obsessed with their carriers. It is evident that Zant is more successful in his missions as compared to Neil. Neil as a police officer has expectations to achieve more and live a comfortable life in a real life situation. This is, however, not the case in ‘Heat’ since he is struggling with the marriage. Zant, on the other hand, is lonely but no disturbance by other life issues since he has no commitments. Conclusion and Recommendation Heat film is one of the best epic movies produced by Michael Mann. The film also brings out crime and loneliness as experienced by both Neil and Zant in their respective carriers. The film does not reflect on Los Angeles real life, which might not be convincing to a keen audience. It would be great if Michael had chosen a less active location for film to convince the viewers. The dynamics of characterizations and the production elements of this film brings in light the two opposing ends of professionalism in film production, editing and character traits. The truth of people complexity in strengths and positive qualities is a factor. Works Cited Barson, R. (2004). Looking at Movies: An Introduction. New york: W. W. Norton & Company. Betsy, S. (2014). Subtle Shades of greatness frame cinematography Nominations. Los Angeles Times Film Critics , 1. Mann, M. (Director). (1995). Heat [Motion Picture]. Read More