Main Cast: Judy Davis, Richard Moir, Chris Haywood, Bill Hunter, John Gregg
Release Year: 1982
Country: AU
Run Time: 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Heatwave is the mildly interesting story of a woman's attempt to stop a redevelopment plot which she thought was the cover-up for fraud and other criminal activity. Kate (Judy Davis), through her own efforts, manages to find some evidence to support her claims and also have a romance. Davis gives an energetic performance as the crusading woman, but the script lacks a convincing plot or characters. While it has some good moments, Heatwave is primarily notable because it was one of the earlier efforts of Australian director Phillip Noyce, who went on to make the very exciting Dead Calm. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
Review
Director Phillip Noyce and star Judy Davis contribute a great deal more to Heatwave than they get back. This lopsided trade is good news for viewers, for without these two talents galvanizing it, Heatwave would be pretty rough going. The blame, not surprisingly, rests squarely on the screenplay. You know you're in trouble when the development that will be the focal point of the film's plot machinations is called the Eden Project. It's better than just flashing the word "symbol" across the screen, but only just. Unfortunately, this is rather typical of the writing on the whole, which tends to the obvious and yet can't keep from becoming all muddled before the end. Luckily, Noyce fills his bag with enough tricks -- a moody, creepy score, judicious use of slow motion and other visual enhancements, a firm command of atmosphere, and an ability to create considerable tension without breaking a sweat -- so that the screenplay's shortcomings don't matter so much. He's aided enormously by a typically all-out Judy Davis performance. The actress gives her all to the part, not caring whether she comes across as abrasive when the moment calls for it. She makes a fairly stereotypical character feel alive. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
John Meillon - Freddy Dwyer; Dennis Miller - Mick Davies; Peter Hehir - Cigar-smoking bodyguard; Carole Skinner - Mary Ford; Gillian Jones - Barbie Lee Taylor; Frank Gallacher - Dick Molnar; Tui Bow - Annie; Don Crosby - Jim Taylor; Paul Chubb - Detective 2; Lynette Curran - Evonne Houseman; Anna Maria Monticelli - Victoria; Graham Rouse - Detective 1; Gary Waddell - Florist messenger
Credit
Ross Matthews - Co-producer, Terry Ryan - Costume Designer, Phillip Noyce - Director, John Scott - Editor, Cameron Allan - Composer (Music Score), Ross Major - Production Designer, Vincent Monton - Cinematographer, Phillip Noyce - Screenwriter, Marc Rosenberg - Screenwriter
Heatwave is a 1982Australian film directed by Phillip Noyce. Around Christmas time a heatwave hits Sydney and an architect undertakes a controversial project.
