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Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Jane Alexander, Madeline Kahn, Rip Torn ... see more see more... , Irene Cara , Richard Roundtree , Tony Lo Bianco , William Sanderson , Nicholas Worth , Robert Davi , Jude Farese , John Hancock , Harry Caesar , Hamilton Camp , Michael Cassidy , Anthony Charnota , Dallas Cole , Nick Dimitri , Buddy Ekins , Lou Filippo , Bruce M. Fischer , Richard Foronjy , Wiley Harker , Bob Herron , Chuck Hicks , Art La Fleur , Gene Lebell , Julius Le Flore , Arthur Malet , Christopher Moore , Jack Nance , Gerald S. O'Loughlin , Charles Parks , Walter Robles , Ernie Sabella , Joan Shawlee , Preston Sparks , Tom Spratley , Beau Starr , Darwyn Swalve , Bob Terhune , Tab Thacker , George P. Wilbur , Alfie Wise , Bill Hart , Fred Lerner , Carey Loftin , Fritz Manes , Michael Maurer , George Orrison , Alex Plasschaert , Jack Thibeau , Wayne Van Horn , Glenn Wilder , Hank Calia , Daphne Eckler , Minnie Lindsay , Bob Maxwell , Lonna Montrose , James Hooks Reynolds , Mic Rodgers , Sharon Schaffer , Jimmy Lewis , Allan Graf , Richard Drown , Holgie Forrester , Debby Porter , George Fisher

This standard, tongue-in-cheek, gangsters and good guys saga is carried on the star power and screen presence of Clint Eastwood as Lt. Speer, a taciturn, tough, play-it-by-the-book cop, and on Burt Re... read more read more...ynolds as Mike Murphy, Speer's old friend in the force, now turned private eye but still a captivating rogue at heart. With a sub-text of playing their well-known screen personas off each other, Eastwood and Reynolds provide more than a surface interpretation of the characters that made them famous. After Murphy's partner is murdered, he focuses on pitting one mob boss against another in an attempt to have both mobsters kill each other. In the meantime, Lt. Speer -- who has never approved of Murphy's private detective business -- does not really know if Murphy is for or against the two top gangsters. Set in the era of speakeasies and Prohibition, an added layer of "film noir" can be discerned under the complex plot, verbal repartée, and episodes of toned-down violence (a kind of parody in themselves). Although this may not be the best film either star has made, it is still interesting to see them together on screen. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

30% liked it

5,900 ratings

Critics

23% liked it

13 critics

PG, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Richard Benjamin

Release Date: December 7, 1984

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DVD Release Date: September 2, 2003

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Stats: 179 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (179)

  • phubbs1
    November 21, 2011
    phubbs1
    Two major Hollywood tough guy legends team together for this 30's period set comedy/crime thriller which doesn't quite get there.

    Its basically an buddy action flick but for some reason they have forgotten to include some action haha there is allot of dialog and its all pretty d... read moreull, everything looks damn fine to be truthful though. All the sets, costumes and cars look really nice and compete easily with say...'The Untouchables' but as usual Eastwood plays his usual cliched tough guy with no rules whilst Reynolds fairs better with some reasonable laughs as the smooth talking danger magnet who is also handy with his dukes.

    Bit of a flop when released and I can see why as this really does stand out as a missed chance for a good film, the blend does work almost but its just lacking some originality and punch.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    June 12, 2011
    cancercapricorn2002
    Reynolds is gumshoe Mike Murphy while Eastwood is rival Lieutenant Speer of the KC Police Department. Earlier, Reynolds had been on the Department, had been Eastwood's partner, in fact; but once he went out on his own the animosity grew between the two until they set off sparks e... read morevery time they met. This time, the two are thrown together in a case where Reynolds' partner, Dehl Swift (Richard Roundtree) is murdered by gangland thugs. They decide to pair up and work together, despite their differences.

    Now, if you believe that Roger Ebert is always right, stop reading right here. Ebert called City Heat one of the worst films of 1984. I'm here to tell you he was wrong. City Heat is a great spoof of the gangster dramas starring Jimmy Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and Humphrey Bogart. I've seen them all, and love them every time I see them. City Heat has the same charisma that the old 30s gangster films have, but has substantial comic relief as well. Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds are at the top of their game here, with split second comic timing. If you don't think Clint Eastwood would do well at comedy, well you haven't seen City Heat.

    The film started out as a Blake Edwards production, but once Reynolds came on board he nixed the idea of Julie Andrews (Edwards' wife) playing the part of the gun moll that later was taken up by the late, great Madeline Kahn. Eastwood stuck by Reynolds and Edwards was so terrified of Clint that he bailed and the project was given to Dick Benjamin, who did a fine job putting together the production. Edwards still got credit for the screenplay, using the pseudonym Sam O. Browne - S.O.B. The film did moderately well at the box office, but the major critics gave it thumbs down, unfairly in my opinion. I've owned this film ever since it was released on VHS and then on DVD and everybody I've screened it with has given it a big two thumbs up, and I never tire of seeing the antics of Eastwood and Reynolds and the sterling supporting cast, including Jane Alexander, Rip Torn, Tony Lo Bianco, Robert Davi, and of course Richard Roundtree and Madeline Kahn. Plenty of fisticuffs, gunbattles, and car wrecks will keep the action fans delighted as well as the witty banter.

    The story concerns a set of stolen books that will provide evidence against one of the two mob families in Kansas City. Dehl Swift (Richard Roundtree) has bribed the bookkeeper to give up his boss, but tries to start a bidding war between the two mob families. Not being smart enough to play the two sides off against each other he is bumped off and this is where Reynolds and Eastwood come in. Reynolds tracks down the books but the gangsters kidnap Reynolds' girlfriend, Madeline Kahn who has some hilarious scenes cleaning the gang members out in a poker game back at the cathouse where they are holding her. With thugs on one side and Eastwood on the other, pressing Reynolds to give up the evidence, he has to use all his wits to 1) stay alive, and 2) stay out of jail long enough to rescue Kahn. The way all the subplots play out is really what you need to see if you want to be tickled pink with laughter.

    Now, I will be the first to admit that slapstick comedy is not Shakespeare, but it is entertaining. To sum up here, if your in the mood for a fun action comedy then this is worth a look.
  • stormyweather980
    February 20, 2011
    stormyweather980
    The worst Clint Eastwood film I've ever seen (and there aren't many left that I haven't watched yet). I thought w/him and Burt Reynolds, two good actors, that this would be awesome, but it seemed rather uninspired and save a few decent fight/gun scenes and one or two entertaining... read more slapstick moments, it's rather forgettable.
  • ythelastman89
    October 1, 2010
    ythelastman89
    I just don't see how anyone could not enjoy this, It's Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds in a nostalgic gangster movie. It's fun, well made and has some really cool action scenes. The part where Clint Eastwood storms the apartment building and shoots a resistant henchman around 7 ... read moretimes in the gut is one of the best in the movie. I like that it's not just another neo-noir, it has a very original feel to it. I have no idea why it's not considered an absolute classic.
  • allan913
    July 22, 2010
    allan913
    It's a wickedly funny and action-packed movie that delivers. It's non-stop great fun from start to finish. It's hard-boiled and hilarious while packing plenty of bullets, punches and sharp one-liners. A dazzling and wonderfully made action-comedy. Burt Reynolds and Clint Easwood ... read moreare absolutely delightful, they play off each other nicely with their great chemistry. Reynolds brings plenty of charm and class. Easwood has plenty of witt and cool-fire presence. Theirs no doubt that these two guys are packing serious heat in City Heat. One of the best buddy-cop movies of the 1980's.
  • jjnxn
    September 19, 2009
    jjnxn
    Completely ordinary crime comedy.Jane Alexander and Madeline Kahn are shamefully wasted, Reynolds looks like a wax figure and Clint walks through it as if he's bored by the whole thing. Chances are you will be too.
  • garyX
    December 25, 2006
    garyX
    Unusual for the time it was made; Reynolds and Eastwood are essentially sending themselves up in a post-modern tongue in cheek gangster comedy that fails mainly because it doesn't go quite far enough; it doesn't seem to be able to make up it's mind whether it's an action film or ... read morea comedy...Clint and Burt are very watchable nonetheless.
  • deano
    October 31, 2006
    deano
    I like the way Eastwood's better than Reynolds with the bestest weapons they used.
  • oakman67
    January 21, 2011
    oakman67
    Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds lock horns as two adversaries who are forced to join forces and it works. By no means is it a great film but it is enjoyable and the two screen heavyweights have a nice chemistry between them. Jane Alexander and Madeline Kahn are suitable as their... read more love interests and Benjamin directs it a high pace which keeps it moving. The movie has great music and is a time period piece and as a mindless entertainment piece, it works
  • saltersheppard
    April 7, 2010
    saltersheppard
    At times very funny. some excellent acting from Jane Alexander. And of course the unforgettable Madeline Kahn.

View All City Heat Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
December 8, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

An amiable but decidedly lukewarm confection geared entirely around the two star turns. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

How do travesties like this get made? Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

One of Mr. Benjamin's main contributions to the film is a good-humored buoyancy, even when things are at their most muddled. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Under the direction of last-minute replacement Richard Benjamin, the results are insufferable -- grotesque, chaotic, demoralized. Full Review

December 8, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

What could have been an interesting and funny period piece under the directorship of original screenwriter Edwards is turned into a tedious, infantile mess by director Benjamin. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

It's certainly not a subtle movie, but with memorable performances, ludicrously over-the-top one-liners and amiable zaniness, it qualifies as a lot of fun. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
September 8, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

One wishes the only pairing of Clint and Burt were better, but City Heat is still fun.

May 24, 2003
Film4

In the end, it is all pretty woeful. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 19, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Philip Martin
April 28, 2005
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Mike Murphy: [talking to Lt. Speer] I've been doin' it all wrong... I've been hiding. You just walk right down the middle of the street? There's two guys down there on left and there's two other guys down there on your right. There's four guys down there altogether...
    • Lieutenant Speer: Sooner or later I'm gonna get those rats.
    • Mike Murphy: I gotta feeling it's gonna be sooner. [car explodes]
    • Lieutenant Speer: I thought you said you diffused that?
    • Mike Murphy: I lied.
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