The Heat

Sandra Bullock and Bridesmaids scene-stealer Melissa McCarthy make an inspired double act in this hysterical cop comedy. It gets off to a wobbly start as, separately, each woman tries to negotiate her way through a man's world and bring a drugs lord to justice, but as soon as they pool resources it becomes a fluid, fun and wickedly foul-mouthed buddy flick. Though she's the bigger name, Bullock generously plays the straight "man" for the most part, although her gift for physical comedy is brilliantly employed, playing a prissy type knocked sideways by McCarthy's big, blustery shtick. The banter between the pair is cracking, and feels improvised, but one of the best scenes - the girls getting drunk at a dive bar - trades on visual gags and clever cutting by director Paul Feig (who also made Bridesmaids). The plot follows a standard formula, but the simple gender twist and great casting keep things sizzling.