Plot
In the midst of a searing Florida heat wave, a woman convinces her lover, a small-town lawyer, to murder her rich husband.

Release Year: 1981

Rating: 7.3/10 (14,294 voted)

Critic's Score: 78/100

Director: Lawrence Kasdan

Stars: William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna

Storyline
Ned Racine is a seedy small town lawyer in Florida. During a searing heatwave he's picked up by married Matty Walker. A passionate affair commences but it isn't long before they realise the only thing standing in their way is Matty's rich husband Edmund. A plot hatches to kill him but will they pull it off?

Cast:
William Hurt - Ned Racine
Kathleen Turner - Matty Walker
Richard Crenna - Edmund Walker
Ted Danson - Peter Lowenstein
J.A. Preston - Oscar Grace
Mickey Rourke - Teddy Lewis
Kim Zimmer - Mary Ann
Jane Hallaren - Stella
Lanna Saunders - Roz Kraft
Carola McGuinness - Heather Kraft
Michael Ryan - Miles Hardin
Larry Marko - Judge Costanza
Deborah Lucchesi - Beverly
Lynn Hallowell - Angela
Thom Sharp - Michael Glenn (as Thom J. Sharp)

Taglines: It's a hot summer. Ned Racine is waiting for something special to happen. And when it does... He won't be ready for the consequences.

Release Date: 28 August 1981

Filming Locations: Delray Beach, Florida, USA

Opening Weekend: $564,593 (USA) (30 August 1981) (34 Screens)

Gross: $24,058,838 (USA) (31 December 1981)

Runtime: 113 min

Trivia:
Jeff Goldblum was considered for the role of Peter Lowenstein. He later worked with Kasdan on The Big Chill and Silverado.

Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: The shadow of the crew is visible on the pier when Ned is running in the morning.

Quotes:
Ned: I like this place; it's got a nice feel.
Matty: You were on top.
Ned: So it could use a better mattress. See to it, will you?
Matty: Yes, sir.

Ultra Cool

Rating: 8/10

Usually I find movies date really badly. For instance, John Carpenter's Halloween from 1978 is my favorite horror movie and although I like it a lot, I must admit it's dated badly over the years. No doubt due to the literally graphic changes in horror movies. I was thinking the same thing of Body Heat before I stepped into it. I was aware of such blessings it had been given, but kept in mind it was a product of the early 80's. Surely I thought this must be dated by today's standard of erotic dramas & thrillers. This was not the case.

This movie has somehow managed to bypass the aging mechanism that movies succumb to. Twenty years after it's debut it still packs it's erotic punch and twisted bag of lies and William Hurt and Kathleen Turner are still the premiere duo of 'hot legs and ultra cool sleaze bags'. I won't bother giving even a morsel of the story to you - this is one you should walk into completely blind to better you viewing experience. If you need more, check out the plot summary or read the back of the movie box.

What I will talk about is the sex scenes. Erotica at it's cinematic best without being crude or pornographic. In today's age of softcore flicks on the video shelves and hardcore pornography conquering new territory every day it's a refreshing change of pace to look back to a movie made in the early 80's and witness such steaminess and tasteful erotica. Not to misdirect your thoughts. This movie isn't solely about sex, but it's a big part in a story of manipulation, money and deceit. The story, the direction and the cast are fit for a picture frame with Ted Danson and Mickey Rourke standing out amongst the supporting cast. A highly recommended view.

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