If anything, the reception toCity Heatis emblematic of his spotty record during the decade.
Regardless of the tepid critical response to his ’80s output, Eastwood was still a major box-office draw.
The best example of this isthe fourthDirty Harrymovie,Sudden Impact.
The issue with this comic noir is that it’s never entirely clearwhatit wants to be.
Ten days after shooting began, I knew I was going to take the fall.
Clint was playing formula Clint that always worked for Clint.
I was playing Jack Lemmon in this strange film where people were getting blown away.
The public wanted Boom Town or to see us in a contemporary film.
They didnt want Dirty Harry vs. the Wimp.
City Heat, directed by Richard Benjamin, is set in 1933 Kansas City, where Clint Eastwood portrays a police lieutenant named Speer and Burt Reynolds plays private eye Mike Murphy. Former friends turned foes, they reunite to combat the mob after Murphy’s partner is murdered.
Compared to movies likeGhostbustersorBeverly Hills Cop, it barely made a dent at the box office in 1984.
I dont think hes ever gotten over it.
Director Richard Benjamin (My Favorite Year) was soon hired to take over.
The result was a film with too many ingredients and no real concept of how to merge them.
This led to noticeable weight loss, which is visible in his follow-up projects like 1985’sStick.
City Heatshould have been a Burt/Clint double act and works best when they’re together.
Former friends turned foes, they reunite to combat the mob after Murphy’s partner is murdered.
