Watch City Heat
- PG
- 1984
- 1 hr 33 min
-
5.5 (10,999)
City Heat is a 1984 action-comedy film that stars a dynamic duo of Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds. Directed by Richard Benjamin, the film is set in prohibition-era Kansas City and follows the attempts of two tough cops to take down a notorious gangster. Clint Eastwood plays Lieutenant Speer, a hard-nosed police officer who has never shied away from bending the rules to get the job done. His partner is played by Burt Reynolds, who portrays a slick private eye named Mike Murphy. Though the two men have different methods, they share a deep respect and friendship that shines through in their performances.
As the film opens, Speer and Murphy are investigating the murder of Murphy's partner. The trail leads to notorious gangster Primo Pitt (played by Richard Libertini), who has a stranglehold on the city's criminal underworld. Together, Speer and Murphy must navigate the dangerous waters of gang warfare, corrupt officials, and their own personal demons in order to bring Pitt to justice.
Along the way, the duo crosses paths with a number of memorable characters. Jane Alexander shines as Addy, a tough-talking madam with a soft spot for Murphy. Madeline Kahn steals scenes as the ditzy and flirtatious nightclub singer, Caroline. And Rip Torn is perfectly cast as the slimy city prosecutor who seems to be in cahoots with Pitt.
Throughout the film, Eastwood and Reynolds exhibit the sort of easy chemistry that could only come from two veteran actors at the top of their game. Eastwood's Speer is gruff and no-nonsense, the sort of cop who's seen too much and been through too many wars. Reynolds, on the other hand, is all charm and wit, using his quick tongue and street smarts to get out of tricky situations.
At its heart, City Heat is a buddy cop movie, and it succeeds admirably on that front. The humor is sharp and witty, with plenty of one-liners and smart banter between the two leads. But there's a darkness lurking just beneath the surface, too. These are two men who have seen the worst of humanity, and they carry that weight with them everywhere they go.
One of the film's greatest strengths is its attention to detail. The set design and costume work are impeccable, capturing the look and feel of 1930s Kansas City with precision. The film's action sequences are also well-constructed, with a few standout moments that will have audiences on the edge of their seats.
That being said, the film is not without its flaws. Some of the supporting characters feel a bit underdeveloped, particularly Caroline and Torn's prosecutor. And while the film's humor works more often than not, there are a few jokes that fall flat or feel out of place.
But overall, City Heat is a fun and exciting romp through the underworld of 1930s Kansas City. Eastwood and Reynolds make for a compelling on-screen duo, and the film's blend of action, comedy, and noir elements make it an entertaining watch for any fan of the genre.
City Heat is a 1984 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 39.