In 1978, William Hjortsberg published a book titled, “Fallen Angel.” Set in the 1950s, a private detective named, Harry Angel is sent to investigate the disappearance of a singer named, Johnny Favorite. Angel travels to New Orleans. During the case, he gets into a sticky situation that changes the trajectory of his predicament. Nine Years Later, a film adaptation renamed, “Angel Heart” stars Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro & Jason Momoa’s ex-wife, Lisa Bonet.
Released in 1987, (same year Predator came out) at the time, it received divisive reactions and didn’t make enough revenue at the box office. Angel Heart attracted controversy due to Lisa Bonet’s involvement. Bill Cosby disowned the film for Lisa’s portrayal of a voodoo girl and sex scene. We all know Bill’s one sick bastard for drugging numerous women. What a friggin’ hypocrite. In later years, Angel Heart gained positive reception as a masterpiece.
Anyway, it’s Halloween Month 2024. Now’s a good time to watch and review horror movies throughout the month. I have a batch of horror themed reviews to get into the Halloween spirit. Which ones should I review next? Please leave a comment.
This review contains no crucial SPOILERS whatsoever. I’m giving you a chance to see this gem.
Light & Dark Aspects
Light: Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro & Lisa Bonet all did a superb job for their respective performances.
Alan Parker (Midnight Express, Evita) did a solid job directing.
Scare Factor builds on a suspenseful atmosphere and doesn’t heavily rely on Jump Scares. I prefer a psychological approach. Make it look like you’re in an uncomfortable situation.
Pacing didn’t take forever. I was on the edge of my seat.
Fun Fact: Christopher “Chris” Nolan (my idol) mentioned Angel Heart as an influence on “Memento.” Prior to the latter, the former follows a non-linear format and plot twist. Mr. Nolan became known for his signature trademarks. I gotta give Chris credit for introducing me to Angel Heart. He’s got good taste in cinema.
Trevor Jones (Cliffhanger, Richard III, Dark City) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Set Pieces and Costume Designs were manually crafted reflecting the 1950s.
Cinematography didn’t suffer from technical problems throughout.
During filming, Mickey & Robert didn’t get along. They never made amends for several years. Mickey still resents Robert. He used to look up to him before he made it big in Hollywood.
A Plot Twist changes everything. Worth a rewatch for subtle clues.
As the film progresses, we learn about Johnny Favorite’s backstory.
Without giving anything away, one-character points at another about his soul. This predates Shang Tsung’s catchphrase, “Your soul is mine” in the 1995 live-action movie, “Mortal Kombat.” He also said it in “Mortal Kombat 11.”
Angel Heart’s a combination of detective and horror. I believe it influenced the manga/anime series, “YuYu Hakusho.” Yusuke Urameshi works as a spirit detective.
Dark: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving the cast and crew an Extra Point for making a flawless film as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Angel Heart is one of the best (if not the best) films of 1987. If you’re looking for something to watch during Halloween Month, it’s a must-watch worth definitely your spare time. Christopher Nolan, if you’re reading this, thank you for introducing me to a gem.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 