Video Review:
Written Review:
Director: Alan Parker
Production Company: Carolco Pictures
Distribution Company: Tri-Star Pictures
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Neo-Noir Psychological Horror
Series: Standalone
MPAA: R (BluRay is unrated)
Release Date: March 6,1987 (US)
Running Time: 133 minutes
MSRP: RENT: $3-$4; Buy: $9-$25
Trailer: Click Here
Rent: Click Here
Purchase: Click Here
Reviewed by: Karen ‘Neckromance’ St. Claire
Final Score: 5 moons (out of 5)
Harry Angel (played by Mickey Rourke) is a bottom of the barrel simple task New York detective hired by Louis Cyphere (played by Robert De Niro) at a law firm called Winesap & Macintosh. Louis hires Harry to locate a missing wartime crooner, Johnny Favorite, that he claims is indebted to him. In this “neo-noir” psychological horror, you are escorted on a journey through the world of Voodoo, murder mystery, steamy sex, and legendary deal making with the devil for fame and fortune.
Content
Embrace yourself in this psychological horror thriller. Right from the start this movie keeps you glued to your seat. Starting in a dark lit alley that hosts everything from stray cats and black dogs to murder victims, the eerie physical graffiti runs rampant. It quickly escorts you to the seedy part of New York’s finest dive joints where wicked law introduces the new vogue man as impeccably groomed in trending long sharp nails and slick back hair with an affinity for hard boiled eggs.
As you journey onto Coney Island’s boardwalk which offers everything from plastic nose guards to varicose vein quackery, it eventually leads you to upscale New Orleans where a respected astrologer with a sense of clairvoyance is led into a suspicious feeling of deep seated uneasiness as an uncanny piano diddy is mysteriously rattled on the keys. Going on, you’ll find yourself landing in the deep Delta Bayou region of Louisiana where chickens run freely and the chicken foot is the standard to ward off trespassers. The Prince of Darkness protects the powerful. Told in classic neo-noir film fashion, the set revolves around the 50’s era and highlights a few scenes from the 1940’s. It is laced with plenty of sensuality and sexual overtones, and features a Jazz street parade, a classic Delta music venue, and an authentically portrayed deep south Voodoo Botanica shop.
Presentation
The ‘get a run for your money’ preacher man is a trip! With everything from astrological charting to cold sweat morphine addiction, the fabulous cast and moving soundtrack transports you on a journey into the unknown, the mysterious unfoldment of events takes on a life of its own. Very well executed, the production is as good as it gets. The edgy uncut version available on Blu-Ray is unrated. The standard version was edited exclusively to gain an R rating.
Audience Fit
Embedded with ciphers, this is Codex material with soul searching depth. Music Goths will surely find a fascination with the underlying message as well as finding some genuine roots of music history. Any film noir junkies should find it a fabulous fit, it has a lot of classic elements. For the Fetish Goths, there is plenty of sultry steaminess and sexual chemistry in the movie. For the Rockabilly Goth’s, may you find delight in the old cars and the scene with classic pin-up style nurse strutting down the hall of records. Those interested in the dark arts with surely find a fit with a vast array of Voodoo, divination, devil dealing, and the search for a fortune teller called Madame Zora. Herbal witches, you gotta check out the fascinating botanica scene! Oddities collectors, old medical supplies and a wicked cabinet of curiosities is included. Classic Goths will love the old style film presentation.
Closing Thoughts
Angel Heart is on my A-List of best of the best movies ever filmed. Of course that boils down to the opinion of one… boiling over just like the gumbo! ….and If you don’t get that plug-in… you gotta watch the movie!
Content: 5.0 Moons (out of 5)
Presentation: 5.0 Moons (out of 5)
Audience Fit: 5.0 Moons (out of 5)
Final Score (not an average): 5.0 Moons (out of 5)
September 6, 2019
I remember when this movie came out. It was very controversial at the time. I thought it was very good and spooky. Wasn’t Lisa Bonet from the Cosby show in the movie?
September 15, 2019
Yes Terry, Lisa Bonet from The Cosby Show played Epiphany Proudfoot in this movie.