Writer/Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Robert De Niro, Mickey Rourke and Charlotte Rampling
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors which achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or frightening gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Angel Heart” is truly his most underrated work. Released in 1987, Alan Parker’s film offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved horror book. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s a mesmerizing psychological thriller. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Robert De Niro, who embodies a devilish criminal that faces sorrow. Although “Angel Heart” is a captivating crime thriller, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, and builds to an ambiguous conclusion. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of psychological thrillers.
Based on the beloved book, “Angel Heart” tells the story of a detective that seeks to mend a broken heart. Mickey Rourke plays Harry Angel, a down-on-his-luck detective that faces obstacles that are painful. Harry has cynical perspective on a profession he doesn’t regard with affection. However, his life forever changes when is given chances to embark on an adventure to solve murder. Given an offer the mysterious Louis Cyphre (Robert De Niro), Harry questions his love for a profession causing sorrow. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Harry soon questions whether it’s possible for him to solve perplexing murder. Left with a broken heart, Harry questions dedications toward art.
Alan Parker has always been fascinated by stories of detectives which endure disaster. His iconic film “Bugsy Malone” provided an engaging depiction of gangsters which feel alone. With “Angel Heart”, however, Parker made his first literary adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a beloved horror book about mysterious detectives but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Parker captures the life of a detective that embarks on hellish journey. Inspired with Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Parker expertly uses montages to capture lives of gangsters experiencing disaster. For instance, montages enhance the detectives investigation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Harry inspects a gruesome murder causing tensions. Using captivating montages, Parker constructs a portrait of detectives which is compelling. Montages are complex techniques to use. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” proved, montages elevate crime films. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Parker captures tensions that gangsters are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Angel Heart” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made. Evoking David Lynch’s “The Elephant Man”, Parker effectively uses costumes to convey the hardships gangsters are experiencing. Throughout the movie, Angel’s costumes showcase his strong transformations into a detective. For instance, costumes elevate the meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Angel meets with Louis Cyphre for the first time as he discovers his intention. Using stunning costumes, Parker creates a bold portrait of gangsters that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Trevor Jones’ music is key to the success of the film. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden gangsters bear. Through strong production, Parker captures gangsters facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Angel Heart” is a movie about detectives which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture the hardship that detectives often experience. Inspired with Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown”, Parker effectively uses scenes of silence to capture detectives whose lives are turned down. For instance, the silence elevates the grief scene. During this tense scene, Angel mourns the murder of a friend causing tensions. Through silence, Parker crested a portrait of detectives audiences relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” suggested, silence enhances classic boxing movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Parker captures the lives of detectives that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his greatest performances as Louis. De Niro achieved appreciation for playing raging boxers in sports movies. With “Angel Heart”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a devilish criminal that faces tragedy but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most villainous role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a gangster facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the greatest actors that’s working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of appreciation. Mickey Rourke is riveting, capturing bravery of a detective seeking to resolve grim mystery. Charlotte Rampling is captivating, capturing tension faced by a woman in a situation that proves frightening. Lastly, Lisa Bonet merits praise. As a lonely woman, she is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Angel Heart” can’t quite honour an iconic book about detectives with a broken heart. Parker’s decisions to incorporate subplots about religion into the movie is bold but it doesn’t entirely succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes focusing on religion are not as engaging as Angel’s journey to find his identity. Moreover, the film lacks a clear endings. It’s an ambiguous conclusion that lacks satisfying resolution. Therefore, “Angel Heart” can’t quite celebrate a beloved book about a broken heart.
Nevertheless, fans of Robert De Niro would absolutely enjoy “Angel Heart” and so would movie-goers seeking riveting entertainment. A terrific psychological thriller, it celebrates an iconic actor.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about detectives that have crimes to investigate, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate making memorable movies that audiences always appreciate.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 