Watch Body Heat
- R
- 1981
- 1 hr 53 min
-
7.4 (40,933)
Body Heat is a neo-noir thriller film from 1981 directed and written by Lawrence Kasdan. The movie stars William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, and Richard Crenna in lead roles. It is a tale of passion and greed set in a small Florida town during a hot summer. The story revolves around Ned Racine (William Hurt), a lawyer who meets Matty Walker (Kathleen Turner), a married woman, at a local bar. Their attraction for each other is mutual, and they soon begin an intense affair. As their sexual chemistry grows, they plan to murder Matty's wealthy and abusive husband, Edmund Walker (Richard Crenna), to inherit his fortune.
As the plot develops, the intensity of the relationship between Ned and Matty increases, and the audience is kept on the edge of their seats, wondering if they will succeed in their devious plan. Meanwhile, the local police detective Oscar Grace (Ted Danson) becomes suspicious of their intentions, adding to the tension of the film.
The film is exceptionally well-crafted and offers a powerful exploration of the darker side of human nature. The setting of the film is used to great effect in creating an atmosphere of heat and lust, which permeates the entire movie. The film also employs several film noir conventions, including a femme fatale in the form of Matty.
The performances by the lead actors are outstanding. Hurt is impressive as Ned Racine, the lawyer who is blinded by his desire for Matty. Turner is equally impressive as Matty Walker, who is seductive, manipulative, and dangerous. Crenna also delivers a strong performance as Edmund Walker, Matty's wealthy husband. Although he is cruel and abusive, his character is also complex and multi-layered, making him a fascinating figure.
The film's cinematography is also impressive, with the camera work effectively conveying the film's tone and mood. The editing is tight, with each scene seamlessly flowing into the next, building the tension and suspense to a fever pitch.
The film's use of music is also notable. Composer John Barry's jazz-influenced score adds depth and texture to the film. The film's theme tune, "The Right Stuff," is also memorable and perfectly captures the film's overall tone of passion and danger.
In conclusion, Body Heat is a masterful neo-noir thriller that is not to be missed. The combination of Lawrence Kasdan's script, the excellent performances by William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, and Richard Crenna, and the film's cinematography and music all work seamlessly together to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Body Heat is a 1981 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 77.