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I have always seen "Taking the Heat" at the video store but never cared on seeing it until one day finding it for $3 bucks at Wal-Mart! I thought to myself, Tony Goldwyn and Lynn Whitfield, $3 dollars, and full-length, what the heck!!! Right when I got home I popped it into the VCR and for some odd reason I didn't move for the next 91 min. New Yorker Michael Norell, played great by Tony Goldwyn, suddenly finds himself hunted by both hit men and police after he witnesses a brutal murder committed by a crime kingpin (Alan Arkin). Now only a beautiful detective (sexy Lynn Whitfield) can get him to court alive - and convince him to testify against the murderous mobster. With a superb supporting cast including George Segal, Alan Arkin, Will Patton, & Peter Boyle, what more could you want from a simple made for cable movie!?! I'm not telling you to go rent or buy it ASAP but if you ever come across it, it's worth 91 mins. of your time!

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.

"Taking The Heat" would be utterly forgettable save for the appearance of the incredibly talented and beautiful Rachel York who plays Susan, a secretary. Rachel alone is worth the price of the film and your viewing time. I have to admit, I am a huge fan of Ms. York. And, after seeing her many times on stage and hearing her wonderful singing voice, her part in this film is not the best use of her marvelous talent. However, she does appear nude. And, aside from her acting and singing, Rachel is absolutely gorgeous! She is dark haired in this one. Usually she is blonde. I suggest you forward fast the tape just to see her scenes.

This is a feel good film. Well, I got that feeling from it. Crime, drama, gangster, court and a little romance thrown in, the entire film is steady and this makes it simple to view and enjoy. Not too heavy or complicated, it relies on scene structuring to cultivate the story line. It has the type of acting that provides a comfortable viewing experience. Humor is placed in a measured effect throughout the film. The plot is steady. It seems to give the same atmosphere of TV or detective shows made in the 70's. One nice thing is the use of good actors without causing any single actor/character to become the "star" of the film. Also of note; the intro song is good, the use of radio and TV broadcast in the film and the sky shots of the city.