MovieChat Forums > Body Heat (1981) Discussion > Matty's identity

Matty's identity

posted 3 years ago by Carlo (86)
14 replies | jump to latest

I think there could be a major plot hole in the fact that "Matty" assumed Matty's real identity. At the end of the movie, we see Ned speaking with his cop friend and telling him that he thinks that her lover took the identity of the real Matty. When the cop asks him why he replies that maybe she did that in order to hide something about her past. Her husband, Richard Crenna, seemed to have the means to find out something like that. Wasn't he involved into the crime business? And why was the real Matty Tyler blackmailing the fake Matty Tyler when the former was still alive? I think that this is the part of the story that has more contradictions and unexplained things.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 3 years ago

She was paying the real Matty to switch identities with her. She mentions to Ned that she did some really bad things while hooked on speed. She didn't want her future husband knowing about those things, whatever they were, because she didn't want to spoil the grift she was playing on him (getting him to marry her).

[–] jacotodd47 (1836) 3 years ago

That's exactly how I remember it. Matty (or actually Mary Ann, which I believe was her real name) didn't want to blow it with Richard Crenna's character (forgot the name of the character). She wanted to marry him and rake him. Knowing he wasn't stupid and probably had access to Private Investigators, she was concerned about her past which involved drug use - and God knows what else. SO, she pays off the real Matty to assume her identity. Plus, as we later learn, this was part of a bigger plan - she kills the real Matty which makes it look like fake Matty is dead. Meanwhile the fake Matty sails off in the sunset with all of Richard Crenna's money. Him dead, the real Matty dead, and Ned locked in jail for good. Pretty slick.

[–] Carlo (86) 3 years ago

Yes, I got it. She has shady things in her past that she wanted to hide from her husband. Anyway, like I was telling in the previous comment, her husband seemed to be a connected guy. Some kind of guy who has the resources and means to find out if her wife assumed someone else's identity in order to cover up the misdeeds that she did in the first place.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 3 years ago

That's not really something that crosses people's minds in life. There wasn't really any reason for him to even think that his wife was assuming someone else's identity. Plus, things were a lot easier to lie about and hide back then. No computers or internet to find instant info about people.

[–] jacotodd47 (1836) 3 years ago

That's exactly right, however, even back then - a guy with Richard Crenna's (I don't remember his character's name) means would have checked out anyone he was going to marry. There is no doubt about it. But what he did is he checked out Matty Tyler. He never would have thought his potential wife was an imposter. It never would have even crossed his mind. He'd have done a background check on Matty Tyler and that would have been the end of it.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 3 years ago

Exactly. Arrest records. And I'd be willing to bet that Turner's character, under her real name, has lots of them for drugs, prostitution, theft etc.

[–] jacotodd47 (1836) 3 years ago

Yeah, as you had said, it would take a bit more work than today but there is no way Crenna would marry her without checking her out. Arrest records, and probably a credit report would most likely be all he could get his hands on. They'd come back spotless. Otherwise he wouldn't marry her. SO, Mary Ann SImpson (the real name of Kathleen Turners character) was exactly right to assume a clean identity. ONe more quick thought about "BOdy Heat" - it's been years and years since I've seen it but it was good so I remember it. I had to watch it twice to really get what happened. Bottom line is it all makes perfect sense. Mary Ann SImpson was quicksmart and ruthless. She outsmarted every one involved.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 3 years ago

Up until Bill passed away, I used to watch it, and as much William Hurt movies and interviews as I could, all the time. Every day I would watch 1-2 of his films so he was a part of my daily life. Body Heat was in regular rotation in my player. But since his passing, I've not been able to watch his movies. It's been rough not being able to do the one thing I enjoyed the most. Body Heat is a fabulous film. As are quite a few of his movies.

[–] jacotodd47 (1836) 3 years ago

Wow - I'm really sorry. His passing is a big loss for you - my sympathies. Personally, I think he had a real nice run in the 1980s then I kind of lost interest in him. "Body Heat" and "Children of a Lesser GOd" are my two WIlliam Hurt faves.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 3 years ago

Yes, me too. And Altered States and The Accidental Tourist and Gorky Park. All so good. He was robbed of the Oscar for Children of a Lesser God. I think that was his role of a lifetime.

[–] jacotodd47 (1836) 3 years ago

Funny you say that as I was thinking the exact same thing. I always thought COALG was his best work. There's tons of stuff in the Academy Awards that doesn't make sense. I think this is one of the many reasons not too many people bother with the show anymore.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 3 years ago

I think that because he had won the honor the year before for Kiss of the Spider Woman, that's why he didn't win it again. Also because Paul Newman was up for it. And although I love Paul, and he deserves all the accolades he gets, I think Bill's performance was better than Paul's that year.

[–] jacotodd47 (1836) 3 years ago

Outstanding, I just checked it and you are exactly right. Newman's win was more for his body of work - even though he was excellent in "TCOM" - he wouldn't have won if that was his first time at the rodeo. Hurt was better that year with his work in COALG, and indeed, the fact that he won the previous year hurt his chances (along with Newman). Long and short of it is I agree with you 100%.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 3 years ago

Bill was an exceptional actor. All he ever wanted to do is act. All the way up to until his passing, he had several things in pre-production. He will be missed terribly.