It's classic film noir and torrid love affair. The downsides to this movie--the characterization of Matty Walker is too flat (there isn't enough complexity of character/motivation/etc.); the sets, cars, clothes, film quality are
so unavoidably late 70s/early 80s; the overally premise isn't too original (two lovers decide to bump off rich husband)--are far outweighed by the good things in the movie. First of all, the sex scenes are great. They're filmed at original angles and emphasize sensuality over sexuality. Some of the dialogue is rather clever (as you would expect from a "noir" film). And, most of the acting is superb (even Ted Danson's rather silly "buddy" character). Now, in the midst of such derivative films as
The Last Seduction,
Body Heat can seem tame or trite, but I'm sure, for its time, it was groundbreaking in plot and sex scenes.
--A.Y.