Alan Parker’s 1987 film Angel Heart, featuring Robert De Niro in a chilling role, blends haunting visuals with a dark and twisted narrative. The film’s intense psychological and supernatural elements, combined with its striking adult themes, set it apart in the realm of 1980s American cinema, drawing particular praise from critic Roger Ebert for its audacity and style.
A Visually Stunning Yet Dark Narrative
Angel Heart is renowned for its atmospheric and gritty portrayal of a detective story steeped in mystery and horror. Cinematographer Michael Seresin’s work is highly regarded for its sharp, measured craftsmanship, making the film visually arresting. Robert De Niro’s character, Lou Cyphre, a slick and eerie benefactor, adds sophistication alongside the unsettling tone. The film explores adult sexuality with a rawness that was becoming more common in American films at the time, following in the footsteps of works like Body Heat, Cat People, and Brian De Palma’s Body Double.
Set in the 1950s, Angel Heart follows private detective Harry Angel, played by Mickey Rourke, as he investigates the disappearance of a lounge singer named Johnny Favorite. The story unfolds in the humid, shadowy environment of Algiers, Louisiana, near New Orleans. Along the way, Angel encounters several key characters, including Margaret (Charlotte Rampling), the missing singer’s wife; Ethan (Stocker Fontelieu), her father; and Epiphany Proudfoot (Lisa Bonet), the enigmatic teenage daughter of the missing man. The film’s narrative is thick with twists and is laced with a disturbing romantic connection between Angel and Epiphany.
Controversy and Boundary-Pushing Elements
Upon its release, Angel Heart stirred controversy due to its violent and explicit content. Initially assigned an X rating by the MPAA, the film had to trim a brief sex scene between Rourke and Bonet to secure an R rating, highlighting the tension between artistic expression and rating standards at the time. The scene itself, infamous for its surreal imagery of water turning to blood during the sexual encounter, represents the film’s blending of sensuality with horror and unease.
Roger Ebert gave the film a nuanced review, awarding it three-and-a-half stars. He appreciated the film’s unapologetically dark and intense nature, calling it “sensuous and depraved” in a positive light. Ebert also emphasized Robert De Niro’s memorable portrayal of Lou Cyphre, noting the actor’s meticulous preparation and unique appearance that seemed an homage to director Martin Scorsese:
“The scene is consistent with the whole film, which is sensuous and depraved. The De Niro character sets the tone, with his sharp, pointed fingernails and his elegant black suits. De Niro must have had fun preparing for the character: He uses a neatly trimmed black beard, slicked-back hair and tricks of lighting and makeup to make himself look uncannily like Martin Scorsese, his favorite director. Given what we eventually discover about the character, it’s a wicked homage.” – Roger Ebert, Film Critic
Complex Characters and a Nightmarish Plot
Mickey Rourke’s portrayal of Harry Angel is central to the film’s raw, unsettling atmosphere. Ebert described Rourke as embodying chaos and vulnerability, a man unraveling beneath a tough exterior:
“Rourke occupies the center of the film like a violent unmade bed. No other actor, with the possible exception of France’s Gerald Depardieu, has made such a career out of being a slob. He looks unshaven, unwashed, hung over and desperate, and that’s at the beginning of the film, before things start to go wrong. By the end, he is a man whose nerves are screaming for help.” – Roger Ebert, Film Critic
The plot’s twists and turns are deliberately disorienting, mirroring the logic of a nightmare with deaths and revelations coming fast and confusingly. The film’s style fits seamlessly into Alan Parker’s repertoire, known for its raw thematic explorations and intense visual storytelling. Parker’s earlier work such as Midnight Express, the musical drama Fame, and the surreal Pink Floyd: The Wall all display similar bold aesthetics.
Legacy and Impact in Film History
Although Angel Heart was initially controversial and did not receive major awards recognition, its reputation has grown over time. Alan Parker moved on to direct Mississippi Burning in 1988, a film that earned seven Academy Award nominations and widespread acclaim, showing that any stigma associated with Angel Heart had dissipated quickly.
Today, Angel Heart is remembered for its powerful combination of horror, noir, and eroticism, standing as a distinctive work in the careers of its director and stars. Its supernatural thriller elements continue to resonate with audiences seeking stories that combine psychological depth with intense visual style. Currently available for viewing on platforms like Kanopy, the film remains a notable example of 1980s cinema pushing boundaries both narratively and artistically.
