Body Heat

By TINA WILSONThe summer heatwave is on and it kicked off recently with a massive power failure that darkened the West Side of Manhattan for more than a few hours. But in true NY fashion we made the best of it, despite the lack of A/C. It got me to thinking about all the hot sticky movies I have fallen in love with over the years and the wardrobes of those suffering from the heat.

Kathleen Turner wore white during most of the film “Body Heat”, perhaps it was to con us and William Hurt into believing she was far too virtuous to have her husband murdered for his fortune. I adore this movie for its memorable humidity, another reason being it was the first time I saw Mickey Rourke, his brief time on screen launched his career. Yes, I know he’s done unimaginable things to his face, but he was once a heartthrob, one day I will write about the time I asked him to dance in a nightclub and we proceeded to dance to 3 songs. Back to Kathleen and her wardrobe, namely the lace slip dress which appears to be Fernando Sanchez, but I am not positive. Today a woman who plans on coming into a lot of money might wear Natori’s Sleek Lace-Bodice Silk Chemise or any of Samantha Chang’s silk slips.“Rear Window” is one of those movies I will never tire of.  Jimmy Stewart in his pajamas, spy camera in hand, lights out, sweating in his wheel chair is no match romantically for Grace Kelly, who never managed to show any real signs of fatigue. Her negligee scene while totally impractical was lovely. A very modern interpretation would be the Point de sprit “skirt” by Only Hearts, which reminds me of Miss Lonely Hearts and her quest for love through the open window. How many of us New Yorkers have not felt that prying eyes were upon us at one time or another?It would be negligent to address the subject of heat waves in movies without mentioning Marilyn Monroe in “The Seven Year Itch”. The image of her standing over the subway grate spewing hot air is engrained in all our heads. We only get a glimpse of what she is wearing under the dress but if we were to walk over a hot subway grate today, we would be wise to wear Wacoal’s Air Long-Leg Shaper Shorts.“Bound” is not only about sweat, it’s about blood, gore, and plenty of twists and turns. The sexual tension between men/women and women/women in this mid 90’s film noire is worth combing thru Amazon for. I LOVE this movie, it unnerves me. The scenes with Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gerson plotting their crimes despite the heat, in tank tops and slips is a minimal fashion moment. What they wear is timeless like the tank bodysuit or anything else from Commando.

There are a few honorable mentions in the list of “films that make you sweat” such as:

“In the Heat of the Night” because, well Sidney Poiter is everything.

“Cool Hand Luke” because Paul Newman is beautiful and that car wash scene leaves us all speechless.

“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” because again Paul Newman is beautiful and he almost drives Maggie the Cat cray cray.Last but not least, one of the pivotal movies in American cinema and as relevant now as it was in 1989 is “Do the Right Thing”.  It’s ode to the streets of NYC was powerful and lyrical. If there is one moment free of anxiety in this film, it is the scene of Spike Lee’s “Mookie” sliding the ice cube along Tina’s (Rosie Perez) body to relieve her from the heat. She wasn’t wearing much of anything during that scene, but back then as well as today she could have been wearing a simple black Calvin Klein cotton bikini. I will always remember Rosie’s hypnotic dance to Fight the Power.
In a time when dividing us by race and class even more than we have been is the goal of the government and ignoring the deadly effects of climate change are the norm, perhaps a look back at this film and others can help  spark the heat of resistance…Stay Cool, Stay Woke and Peace.

Tina