The Film That Almost Ruined Burt Reynolds: “I Knew I Was Going to Take the Fall”

n 1984, Burt Reynolds teamed up with Clint Eastwood for City Heat, a buddy-crime comedy that promised big things.

The cast included Jane Alexander, Rip Torn, and Irene Cara, raising expectations for a hit. But from the very start, Reynolds sensed trouble.

“Ten days after shooting began, I knew I was going to take the fall,” Reynolds told the Los Angeles Times. “Clint was playing formula Clint that always worked for Clint. I was playing Jack Lemmon in this strange film where people were getting blown away…”

“The public wanted Boom Town or to see us in a contemporary film. They didn’t want ‘Dirty Harry vs the Wimp’.” He said.

The production itself was difficult. Reynolds was seriously injured on the first day due to a stunt gone wrong. When the film was released, it failed to impress critics or audiences. With a budget of $25 million, it earned $38.3 million, barely covering production and marketing costs.

Critics were mostly negative. Roger Ebert called it “a complete, shocking mess,” while Gene Siskel gave it zero stars.

Despite a few positive notes, like Janet Maslin praising the chemistry between Reynolds and Eastwood, the film struggled.

Variety mentioned that while watching the two stars together had charm, the material itself was underwhelming. Other reviews highlighted weak comedy, poor plot, and excessive violence that spoiled the fun.

For Reynolds, the flop marked another low point in a career already facing challenges. He even received a Razzie nomination for his performance. It wasn’t until his supporting role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights that he regained critical respect.

City Heat is now remembered less for its story and more for the troubled production and career impact on Reynolds. It serves as a reminder that even Hollywood legends can face setbacks.

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