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, as her prissy FBI agent is knocked sideways by McCarthy's unsociable Boston cop. 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.