LAMORINDA WEEKLY | "The Heat"


FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock, left) and Boston Detective Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) sit in shock after an unexpected setback. Photo Gemma La Mana

Let's get straight to the point. "The Heat" is the funniest movie I have seen in a long long longtime. I previously made the statement that "This Is The End" was the funniest since the original "Hangover" but neither one trumps "The Heat" starring Oscar winner, Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side") and Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy ("Mike & Molly," "Bridesmaids").

Bullock plays squeaky clean, by-the-book FBI agent Ashburn who is assigned to take down a drug ring in Boston. Ashburn has more than she can handle when a local Boston cop with a mouth like a drunken sailor, Mullians (McCarthy) demands to be assigned to the case because this is her 'hood. It was great to see Thomas T. Wilson, best known for playing Biff in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, return to the big screen as Mullians' boss, Captain Woods. He has amazing comedic timing, and the scene in his office with Asburn and Mullians will have you laughing till your side hurts.

The story is nothing new as the two polar opposites, Ashburn and Mullians, must work together to crack the ring and arrest the king pin. It is the creative dialogue that screenwriter Katie Dippold, writer of the creative "Parks and Recreation" television series, penned on paper that makes this work with non-stop laughs. Bullock and McCarthy as a comedic team is solid gold and they deliver to the level of Lucy and Ethel. Kudos to director Paul Feig ("Bridesmaids") for making it all come together on the big screen. Feig may just be the comedy director of modern time.

"The Heat" was filmed on location in Boston on a very short shooting schedule of 45 days which is unheard of for a Hollywood studio movie. The average shooting time for a studio film is three to four months. The hard work and dedication for the entire cast and crew truly shines on the screen.

"The Heat" is rated R for adult content, language, drug issues and sexual situations, so the youngest need to stay home. "The Heat" makes a perfect date night with a total running time of 125 minutes. You will be laughing so often you won't realize two hours has gone by. Trust me on this one! Some will need oxygen!

Derek Zemrak is a Film Critic, Film Producer and Founder of the California Independent Film Festival. You can follow Derek on Twitter @zemrak for the latest Hollywood news. Derek is the host of Real to Reel on TRadioV.com live at 6 p.m. every Tuesday.