Alan Parker directs Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro in Angel Heart, an 80”s horror movie… very demonic.
By the way, this genre is called elevated horror (which I would define as horror movies that aren’t a disaster).
It’s based on a novel by William Hjortsberg.
Angel Heart is one of those movies that we remember despite the passage of time. A classic film that when it was released was a revolutionary work, at least as far as I recall. One of those features that they wouldn’t let us rent because they made us… lose faith. We were young, and so impressionable.
With lots of classic film noir touches. We really love Alan Parker (Mississippi Burning).
Plot: A touch of Philip Marlow… but with a special client
Harry Angel is hired by a mysterious egg-eating character played by Robert De Niro to find someone. His investigation will lead him into the swampy realms of heroin, black magic, voodoo and… a few other mysteries.
The Movie
This is one of those films from the eighties that without being a marvel in its day (nowadays it would have been a runner up for an Oscar). It will be remembered because it features Robert De Niro playing that mysterious character that we can’t mention at the risk as doing so would be a spoiler
Our Opinion
A risky and enjoyable film which, for sure, you will love watching again as I did.
The Cast
Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke is an American actor known for the films 9 1/2 Weeks (1986), Angel Heart (1987) and The Wrestler (2008).
Philip Andre Michael Rourke Jr. was born on September 16, 1952 in Schenectady, New York, United States.
Mickey Rourke is an American actor, screenwriter and former boxer who began his career in the 80’s with Diner (1982) and Rumble Fish (1983). Adrian Lyne chose him, along with Kim Basinger to star in 9 1/2 Weeks, the movie that made him famous. Then came Angel Heart, with Robert De Niro. And an excellent movie The Barfly.He played the role as Charles Bukowski.
With The Wrestler, he earned an Oscar nomination.
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro is an American actor known Academy Award winner for Ragging Bull (1980) and The Godfather II. He also starred in Cape Fear, Angel Heart (1987), Taxi Driver (1976), Goodfellas (1990) and many others.
Robert Anthony De Niro was born on August 17, 1943 in Greenwich Village Manhattan, New York (United States).
Other Reviews
Smashing-looking production design by Brian Morris and beautiful, moody camera work (…) [Mr. Parker] is a very able technician who needs a good screenplay, which is what’s missing here. In its bits and pieces, ‘Angel Heart’ looks a lot better than it does when endured.
Vincent Canby: The New York Times