Body Heat

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

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

Storyline:

Set in the sweltering heat of Florida, the film follows Ned Racine (William Hurt), a weary and somewhat inept lawyer. He becomes entangled in an affair with Matty Walker (Kathleen Turner), the beautiful wife of wealthy businessman Edmund Walker (Richard Crenna). As their relationship deepens, Matty manipulates Ned into believing that they can be together if he kills her husband.

Ned initially resists but ultimately succumbs to temptation, leading to a murder that sets off a chain of events filled with deception and betrayal. As the plot unfolds, Ned realizes that Matty has her own agenda, which complicates his situation and leads to dire consequences.

About Movie:

Body Heat is an American neo-noir erotic thriller film written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan in his directorial debut. The film stars William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, alongside Richard Crenna, Ted Danson, J. A. Preston, and Mickey Rourke. It is inspired by the classic film noir Double Indemnity (1944) and tells the story of a disillusioned lawyer who becomes embroiled in a deadly affair with a married woman.

Lawrence Kasdan was inspired to create Body Heat after his work on major blockbusters like The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film was produced by Fred T. Gallo and features a score by John Barry. It was shot in color, which was notable for a neo-noir film that typically evokes the style of classic black-and-white films.

Upon its release on June 5, 1981, Body Heat received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Kathleen Turner’s performance marked her debut in film and established her as a sex symbol; she was later recognized by Empire magazine as one of the “100 Sexiest Stars in Film History.” The film grossed approximately $24 million at the box office against a budget of $9 million.

Body Heat is considered one of the significant examples of neo-noir cinema, influencing subsequent films within the genre. It has been cited for its exploration of themes such as desire, manipulation, and moral ambiguity. The film’s success helped launch Turner’s career while solidifying Kasdan’s reputation as a talented director.

Budget & Box Office Collection: