Angel Heart

Ten seconds account for the two different versions of Alan Parker's adaptation of William Hjorstberg's supernatural thriller "Falling Angel". The scene in question is an intense, though not explicit, lovemaking session between Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) and Evangeline Proudfoot (Lisa Bonet). Is it important ? No. What is important is that Parker (Shoot the Moon, Birdy) has delivered his most powerful film to date. Set in 1955, the movie opens with Angel being hired by the sinister Louis Cyphre (deliciously played by Robert DeNiro) to find out whether a crooner known as Johnny Favorite is still alive. Angel's search takes him from Harlem to Louisiana, and everywhere he goes dead bodies and voodoo seem to turn up. Parker strings the viewer along inexorably, until--just when it seems that no reasonable explanation can possibly account for the murders--Harry Angel uncovers the truth. A truth that makes for one of the most stunning and memorable climaxes in recent movie history. Rourke delivers his best performance since Diner; DeNiro is great as slime on a stick; and Bonet is effective as the love interest. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review--June 1, 2004--Artisan, 113 min., R, $19.98--Now in its second iteration on DVD, Alan Parker's 1987 Angel Heart: Special Edition features a handsome, newly remastered, widescreen transfer; robust Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo sound options; and a mixed bag of extras. Best of the bunch are Parker's informative (if occasionally sparse) audio commentary, a 22-minute career retrospective interview with inside-sunglasses-wearing Mickey Rourke (who also participates in a tossed-off 14-minute “selected scene commentary” that is not always scene-specific), and “Vodoun Truths,” a 58-minute collection of five featurettes exploring Hollywood fiction vs. the truth about voodoo (a healing religion, as opposed to the sinister “voodoo doll”-poking practice portrayed in films). In addition, there are seven original featurettes/interviews mixing behind-the-scenes footage and comments from cast and crew (one, simply called “Featurette” is virtually identical--whether by glitch or design--to the archival interview with Parker). Finally, it should be noted that although the packaging carries an “R” rating, this is the “unrated” cut, which includes 10 seconds of extra footage of Rourke and Lisa Bonet's torrid (not to mention creepy) love scene. Bottom line: good film, solid extras, and an excellent price--this is still highly recommended.]