Al Pacino plays LAPD lieutenant Vincent Hanna in the 1995 crime film "Heat". Hanna leads the investigation into Neil McCauley, a professional thief played by Robert De Niro, creating the film's central contest between a dedicated detective and an equally disciplined criminal.
Written and directed by Michael Mann, Heat is known for treating both sides of the law as serious professionals with demanding personal lives. Hanna's relentless focus on the case strains his relationships, while McCauley's strict personal rules are tested as the crew's robbery plans begin to unravel. Their famous coffee-shop conversation gives the film one of its most memorable dramatic exchanges.
A common mistake is identifying De Niro as Hanna because his name is often mentioned alongside Pacino's. In fact, De Niro plays McCauley, while Pacino plays the detective pursuing him. The film grew from a script Mann had developed years earlier and was partly inspired by Chicago police officer Chuck Adamson's pursuit of a criminal named Neil McCauley.