The Heat sees the world of Sandra Bullock’s uptight Special Agent Ashburn collide with Melissa McCarthy’s obtrusively foul-mouthed Detective Mullins when she’s stationed in Boston to take down a ruthless drug lord. Forced to co-exist in the same work environment, the characters’ continual clashes make The Heat a comedy-lover’s delight. To mark the film’s release on DVD and Blu-Ray, FilmJuice takes a look at ten of the most unlikely character pairings in film …
Harold And Maude (1971)
This cult black comedy from Director Hal Ashby quite probably has the daddy of all unlikely pairings in Harold (Bud Cort) and Maude (Ruth Gordon), a young man and 79-year-old woman who form a romantic relationship. Aside from the blindingly obvious reason this duo remain an unlikely pairing, writer Colin Higgins’ representation of the characters – Harold obsessed with the morbid, Maude a go-getter who lives life to the fullest – sets them apart and brings them together to a beautiful level.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Martin Riggs And Roger Murtaugh
This pioneering cop movie busted blocks when released in 1987 and has probably been so well-revered ever since due to the pairing of Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). The unlikely duo are thrown together with one thing in common: they hate working in pairs. The comedy surrounding their performance is a true gem and something that elevated Lethal Weapon into a hugely successful franchise.
Twins (1988)
Need we say more than Arnold Schwarzenegger (Julius Benedict) and Danny DeVito (Vincent Benedict) … playing twins? Probably not. Twins stars the actors as twins separated at birth who reconnect decades later. The film plays up the differences of the two siblings, with DeVito’s streetwise Vincent clashing with Schwarzenegger’s intellectual, reserved Julius. Comedy inevitably ensues. A sequel, starring Eddie Murphy as yet another sibling, is due for production in 2015.
Turner & Hooch (1989)
They say dogs are a man’s best friend… The most solid proof could be Turner (Tom Hanks)/& Hooch (Beasley the Dog), in which Hanks stars as investigator Detective Turner who takes on the case of his friend’s murder, acquiring his large, slobbery dog Hooch in the process. The film does well to capture the friendship of the two, genuinely eliciting emotion – causing this to be one of Hanks’ most-loved films.
The Silence of the Lambs (1990)
Based on Thomas Harris’ novel, The Silence of the Lambs is the source of one of Anthony Hopkins’ most memorable performances, not to mention oft-quoted. Rookie officer Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) must turn to the incarcerated Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a psychiatrist turned cannibalistic serial killer, for help in tracking down loose killer Buffalo Bill. The on-screen dynamic between the two is breathlessly iconic.
Out Of Sight (1999)
Chancing bank robber Jack Foley (George Clooney) is caught red handed, thrown in jail and broken out – an event that throws him together with Jennifer Lopez’s U.S. Marshal, Karen Sisco. Two extremely different characters from very different backgrounds are thrown together in an extended scene which Steven Soderbergh shot in the boot of a car – this being key to the moment the duo form an unlikely love for one another.
Monsters, Inc (2001)
A hulking ‘fearsome’ blue monster, and a small round green one. We all know Sully (John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal) two of Pixar’s most lovable creations – and appearance-wise, these characters look like an extremely unlikely fit. However, it’s not really until 2013’s Monsters University showed us how they came to befriend one another that this truly hits home. As unlikely as they were, they make the dream scare team!
Burn After Reading (2008)
The Coen Brothers’ zany caper movie stars all manner of A-list actors running around, performing crazy actions (John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, George Clooney), but none impress more so than the pairing of personal trainer Chad Feldheimer and co-worker Linda Litzke (played to comedic precision by Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand). Here are two characters – who team up when they come across a classified disc left behind in a gym bag – that you never expect to see together in one film. But what a joy their screen time is to behold.
Star Trek (2009)
A screen presence since Gene Roddenberry’s iconic franchise first launched in television in the 60s, JJ Abrams re-launched Star Trek with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto depicting the much-loved head-to-head of Kirk and Spock in all their rivalry and silent respect. Kirk is the surly, cocky son of a former Captain, Spock the emotionless Vulcan, who has his ears put out of joint when Kirk becomes captain of the USS Enterprise. However, threats from outside force the two to work together, forming a close bond explored further in 2013 sequel Star Trek Into Darkness.
The Heat is released on DVD and Blu-ray on 25th November 2013 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
