TAKING THE HEAT has quite a bad reputation on IMDB. It has a pitiful score of 5,8 and only 3 reviews and it was released in theaters only in Japan, all this would lead to a terrible movie. As for me, I decided to watch it a month after George Segal died and I thought it was a nice way for celebrating his career.
New Yorker Michael Norell (Timothy Hutton) goes to a sports' store for buying some skys the night before Christmas and suddenly he has to go to the bathroom. While there, mob boss Tommy Canard (Alan Arkin) arrives with 2 of his men and accidentally kills the manager. When they are out, Michael goes calling the 911 and detective Carolyn Hunter (Lynn Whitfield) advises Michael that he should go to court for testifying despite he feels that the only important thing to do in this situation was calling the 911. 7 months later, on a scorching summer day, Carolyn receives Michael's court order and she reaches him. He doesn't want to go but they are forced when the power in his home goes out and on their long way to court they will meet few crazy characters and some of Canard's henchmen that want to kill them everywhere they go. What follows up until the court scene is exactly Michael and Carolyn's trip across New York even through the sea.
I was hoping to hate the movie, but instead I enjoyed it in some points. The best moments were when Michael behaved very immaturely and Carolyn that scolded him while he answered with his own subtle answers. And the tense moments are very thriller-ish. The acting was good actually. Timothy Hutton, despite playing a jerk, has some funny moments here and there and Lynn Whitfield is a perfect foil for him. Alan Arkin, George Segal, Will Patton and Peter Boyle... all give great supporting performances.
This movie is actually on YouTube if you want to give it a try. I recommend it if you are in the right mindset for a feel good movie, because that is the best way for enjoying it.
New Yorker Michael Norell (Timothy Hutton) goes to a sports' store for buying some skys the night before Christmas and suddenly he has to go to the bathroom. While there, mob boss Tommy Canard (Alan Arkin) arrives with 2 of his men and accidentally kills the manager. When they are out, Michael goes calling the 911 and detective Carolyn Hunter (Lynn Whitfield) advises Michael that he should go to court for testifying despite he feels that the only important thing to do in this situation was calling the 911. 7 months later, on a scorching summer day, Carolyn receives Michael's court order and she reaches him. He doesn't want to go but they are forced when the power in his home goes out and on their long way to court they will meet few crazy characters and some of Canard's henchmen that want to kill them everywhere they go. What follows up until the court scene is exactly Michael and Carolyn's trip across New York even through the sea.
I was hoping to hate the movie, but instead I enjoyed it in some points. The best moments were when Michael behaved very immaturely and Carolyn that scolded him while he answered with his own subtle answers. And the tense moments are very thriller-ish. The acting was good actually. Timothy Hutton, despite playing a jerk, has some funny moments here and there and Lynn Whitfield is a perfect foil for him. Alan Arkin, George Segal, Will Patton and Peter Boyle... all give great supporting performances.
This movie is actually on YouTube if you want to give it a try. I recommend it if you are in the right mindset for a feel good movie, because that is the best way for enjoying it.