In the Heat of the Night

When the American Film Institute updated their list of the 100 best movies of all time in 2007, In the Heat of the Night was one of the new inclusions.

In tells the story of Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier), an African American detective from Philadelphia. He has gone home to the south to visit his mother, and finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, after a wealthy businessman is murdered and he is arrested simply for having the wrong skin colour.

After everything is cleared up, the local police (lead by Rod Steiger as the wily, racist chief) ask him to stay and help solve the case, but Tibbs is not too keen on the task in a town filled with racist small town folks who only want him gone as soon as possible.

I will admit I was a little disappointed in this movie. Perhaps it’s that the racial issues don’t pack the same emotional punch these days, or perhaps it’s the decidedly thin and flimsy plot, but I was expecting more.

That’s not to say this isn’t a good movie. Above all else, this has two exceptionally good performances from Poitier and Steiger. With a bunch of strong supporting characters too, it’s solid enough in that department.

Poitier is especially impressive. His stoicism and dignity in the face of racism and discrimination is a wonder to behold. I also really enjoyed Warren Oates as the sweaty, not-too-bright police officer Sam Wood.

This is a witty movie with great acting all around, but it does lack a little something when viewed today: gut-wrenching relevance.