FOR many years there has been a notable lack of strong female writers able to stake their claim with their male counterparts, and when one “breaks through” it is often the exception to the rule: the late Nora Ephron, who wrote When Harry Met Sally, among other films, being a case in point.

Even more rare are good female writers writing roles for strong female leads. So, more recently, it is refreshing to see the likes of Bridesmaids, written by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, who also played the lead, and this film – Heat, which was written by Katie Dippold, who is behind the recent US TV hit Parks & Recreation, It is inspired by the classic buddy cop movies, but this time focussing on two mismatched women, played by Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. The link between the two films is the director Paul Feig.

Agent Sarah Ashburn (Bullock) is a brilliant but uptight federal agent, who is vying for promotion. The trouble is nobody actually likes her very much. She also lives alone with a cat, which actually belongs to her next door neighbour.

To help boost her chances of promotion, she is sent to Boston, in order to bring down a drug kingpin, who is leaving a grisly trial of bodies, from people who cross him. Almost immediately she clashes with eccentric local cop Shannon Mullins (McCarthy), whose unconventional approach to policing, makes her a bit of a libability in the force, and an outsider, but somewhat dissimilar to Ashburn.

After initial hostility they find the best way to crack the case is to work together, which doesn’t always yield the most effective results.

Heat is one of the funniest and most enjoyable films of the year. It is a brilliant take on a classic genre, given a great twist with two outstanding performances from the lead.

McCarthy will no doubt get the plaudits- being one of the funniest actresses to emerge in recent years, but huge credit must also go to Bullock – who plays the more straight, but equally odd, role with aplomb and her character development is a joy to watch.

While the plot gets more ludicrous, the chemistry, sharp lines and supporting cast make this a joy to watch. Finally, a film that lives up to expectations this year.

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