A sleazy southern lawyer is pulled into a murder plot in Lawrence Kasdan’s 1981 noir Body Heat, now on Criterion in 4k UHD & Blu-Ray.
The Film
In his directorial debut, Lawrence Kasdan taps into something special with 1981’s Body Heat. A neon-noir (not a typo), he pulls the audience in with a sweat-soaked tale of sex and sin. When sleazy lawyer Ned Racine meets bored housewife Maddy Walker on the coast of Florida during a heat wave, he gets pulled into a cyclone of seduction and danger. Yeah, you know where this goes. But that’s the fun.
It’s thanks in part to Kasdan’s whip-smart script and understanding of his audience that it works with a knowing wink. You’ve probably seen Double Indemnity if you haven’t seen the James M. Cain adaptation by Billy Wilder, or any of the films that took from it or others like The Postman Always Rings Twice, or so many noirs; he knows you know the score. As his scripts for Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Empire Strikes Back show, Kasdan can deftly toss back to the films of the 30s and 40s with such skill and ease, we’re giddily going along the ride instead of getting off with “I know this route.” (Compare to the hilariously awful bravado of Norman Mailer’s Tough Guys Don’t Dance). Every libido-forward move of William Hurt’s Ned, each sultry glance and suggestion from Kathleen Turner’s Maddy, all sly hints from Ted Danson’s friendly rival lawyer, all the nerve-wracking clues and red herrings; for all of it, we’re ready and willing agents to the depravity. The thrill of waiting for the shoe to drop puts us on the edge of our seats. The question isn’t what will happen, but how, when, and with what amazing flourish. Kasdan pulls us in with an ease all too good for a first-time filmmaker (coming off of Empire and Raiders; when one is on set with masters, it seeps in).
Kasdan gathers astounding, pitch-perfect performances from his cast of first or second-time film actors soon to become household names. Hurt had only scored Altered States (which hit Criterion recently as well) and proved himself as the just sleazily enough lead. Gotta love Ted Danson; energetic and dancing his way through scenes. Just watch him in the background. Mickey Rourke gives a short, but one of his best performances as an arsonist, and Richard Crenna gets the most out of the poor, doomed husband. But this is Kathleen Turner’s show; commanding every eye, both in exuding sexuality and Kasdan’s poined lighting centering, lingering gazes, and sultry seduction at every turn. She’s fierce and fearless, a radiant star turn from her debut.
The technique of creating Body Heat does the rest of the work to cement it as a noir classic. But Kasdan knows and toes the line of design with cinematographer Richard H. Kline. It’s an expertly crafted noir using extreme light and shadow to great effect. It would be easy to tip into too much, as many first-timers do. The heat radiates; it’s a sweaty movie, giving an uncomfortable atmosphere a shine. Funny though, it was filmed in an unexpected cold flash, but you wouldn’t know with how much heat pulls off the screen. Purposeful color use, spotlights of giallo coloring, bright spots of interest and intrigue highlight in darker than dark backgrounds, it’s delicious. What isn’t starkly lit is intricately done with fog and smoke. No matter the method, the atmosphere is thick; a sexy haze of uncertainty. With Carol Littleton’s editing and John Berry’s score fitting in every so nicely, Body Heat comes together for one of the most engaging recent sit-downs. It’s a new film for me, but it burns off the screen with gorgeous efficiency.
Lawrence Kasdan’s Body Heat is an excellent addition to the Criterion Collection; a perfect example of a modern (well, now over forty years old) noir with an explosive cast, thrilling story, and overall power.
The Package
Criterion offers both 4k UHD/Blu-ray and Blu-ray on its own. I have the 4k set. The discs, featuring character close-ups, overlap on the right side of the clear case. The sleeve features new art on the front facing and a close-up of lightened slats on the interior. A booklet fits within.
Spine #1308
The Presentation
As the review would indicate, this 4k restoration, overseen by editor Carol Littleton and approved by Lawrence Kasdan, is GOREGEOUS. Body Heat is a film of cinematic flourishes in the lighting and design, and damned if this transfer doesn’t heighten to delirious levels of detail. The sharpness in lighting choices, the air of the fog and smoke; it astounds. The sound envelops. English subtitles.
The Features
All the features (and the film as well) are located on the Blu-Ray disc.
Lawrence Kasdan (new)
Kasdan has a great talk about his career up to and including Body Heat (and a tad after). His talk of how the studio system worked then to now is interesting, and he gives great insight into screenwriting compared to direction, working with Spielberg and Lucas, and finessing writing. (22m)
Carol Littleton & Bobbie O’Stein
Editor Littleton and film historian O’Steen have a wonderful conversation about crafting Body Heat. Editors often get overlooked, but this gives incredible care to just how each snip works to create and craft something special, especially working in collaboration. (32m)
Featurettes (2006)
Three parts: The Plan (17m), the Production (16m), and Post Production (10m) make up a standard but well-done look back at the film. It’s from Laurent Bouzereau, so you know it’ll be a nicely put-together making-of.
Deleted Scenes
Ten minutes worth of cut bits, mostly based around a rightfully cut sequence when the murder is attempted earlier in the film.
Leaflet
A fold-out leaflet with the essay “The Trap You Set for Yourself” by Megan Abbot. It looks at themes of noir in the modern world.
Final Thoughts
Now on Criterion, Lawrence Kasdan’s Body Heat is an excellent noir, filled with seduction, sweat, sex, and savagery. With a wonderful transfer and a solid set of features, Body Heat is a worthy addition to the Criterion Collection.