Heh, just posted my negative comments on last film seen. Interesting that we saw this at a similar time. 

I mostly agree with your assesment, and definitely with the statement from the Cahiers critic, but ultimately this didn`t make it as satisfying an experience as it probably did for you.

it`s not like Mann has lost it, but he clearly needs to get better next time. And reality can also be subtle at times!
I must say the slick cinematography and editing in Heat had much more to say about our world than the "realist" one in Miami Vice...

On your scale, this would be a C+