Body Heat (1981) / Thriller-Romance

MPAA Rated: R for strong sexuality/nudity, language and brief violence
Running Time: 113 min.

Cast: William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna, Ted Danson, J.A. Preston
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Screenplay: Lawrence Kasdan
Review published February 8, 1997

During a blistering heatwave, asmall town Florida lawyer (Hurt, Broadcast News) picks up a well-to-do married woman (Turner, The Man with Two Brains) and begins a scorching affair hotter than the weather around them. Things get hotter and hotter until they realize that the only thing keeping them from being together is the wealthy husband (Crenna, First Blood), and the two conspire to get rid of him --- for good.

From the stellar script writer of Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Big Chill, and the last two films of the original Star Wars trilogy comes this outstanding example of modern film noir. Turner is a real find here in her first role, and Hurt gives his character an unspoken depth that we can relate to as things don't work out quite the way he planned.

Lots of twists and turns in the snappy script by Kasdan, who also directs this first film of his like a pro. A gorgeous score by John Barry (who did most of the James Bond films) and a terrific look by cinematographer Richard H. Kline (Star Trek: The Motion Picture, King Kong). Impressive work from a crew of budding stars and one of the best thrillers of the Eighties.

Qwipster's rating:

©1997 Vince Leo