Angel Heart (1987)

An Eye For an Eye
An Eye For An Eye

In the 1987 film, Angel Heart, director Alan Parker elaborately relays to his audience the underlying theme that a person, despite his or her best attempt, cannot cheat and prosper in life. Utilizing a vast array of symbolism, cultural ideology, and clever subterfuge, Parker portrays the unsuccessful attempt of his main character, Harold Angel (Mickey Rourke), to 'have his cake and eat it too' by cheating both God and Satan.

In "Angel Heart", the old adage that 'cheaters never prosper' comes to life on the screen in a horrifying manner, as the destruction of both self and others unfolds in a most hell-like fashion. Seemingly, Parker is telling his audience to not be deceived...that nobody, despite his or her best attempt, can cheat and prosper in life.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Angel Heart". I give it a five-star thumbs up. I bought this DVD from Amazon.com for the purpose of writing a college level essay on symbology in films. It turned out to be an excellent choice. I highly recommend the film, but caution parents to use discretion. There is a bit of filthy language, some gore, and a sexual scene that I feel should not be viewed by children under age 18. Use discretion, but enjoy. The symbology is unsurpassed.

--Allan Whitney--

Stylish and atmospheric
Alan Parker (Pink Floyd: The Wall) directed this stylish, atmospheric tale of evil and voodoo, starring Mickey Rourke as Harry Angel; a 50's era private eye hired by the mysterious Louis Cypher (Robert De Niro) to find a missing man who owes him big. Of course we know who Louis Cypher really is, but what Angel has yet to discover as he makes a trek from New York to the voodoo-soaked swamps of New Orleans (where he is enchanted by a young girl, played by Lisa Bonet which garnered much controversy when the film was originally released) is that his search will have him make some incredibly shocking discoveries. Undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career, Rourke is simply magnetic in his role as Harry Angel. By the end of the film, he has garnered so much sympathy and disdain that you'll be glued to the screen. De Niro is great as well, albeit his screen time is quite limited (that's why it says "special appearance by" on the cover), but he is nevertheless effective as the ultimate incarnation of pure evil. The DVD itself from Artisan/Lion's Gate has a surprising amount of substancial special features, including commentary from Parker and Rourke, as well as documentaries on the voodoo culture. Despite some of the plot holes in the story, Angel Heart is an effective thriller that leaves an impression thanks to Parker's startling imagry and Rourke's great performance, and if you've never seen it before and films with the devil tickle your fancy, give Angel Heart a look.

Now there are better vodoo movies like Skeleton Key
I bought this movie for two reasons. Robert de niro and its excellent reviews. But in the entire movie Robert de niro has only 3 or 4 appearances which was very disappointing. Beside that i think may be the movie was one of its kind back then, but now there are lot better vodoo movies than Angel Heart. Two stars for Mickey Rourke. He is awesome. Rent it but don't buy it.