Script Review – “Body Heat” by Lawrence Kasdan ****1/2

Wonderful modern day version of film noir. It takes all the old elements – loser protagonist, femme fetale, the husband, infidelity, plot to kill which goes horribly wrong, support characters who at first seem nothing but turn out to be very important – and adds fresh twists: constant sex, legal stuff, bombs. The first half is fine – it helps a lot reading to envision Kathleen Turner and William Hurt. When it really kicks into classic mode is the moment after Richard Crenna is killed and Hurt gets the phone call about a new will. Then it spins a fantastic web and it’s truly thrilling. Great supporting roles too: the arsonist, the husband, the tap dancing prosecutor, etc.