Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
exquisite... watch it more than once..., 25 May 2007
No quesch, Angel Heart is a kind of movie not for everyone. Ideally suited for mature and attentive viewers with a particular zest in movies seeped in a bizzare Dali-type surrealism full of mystery, supernaturality, violence, bloodshed and sex. I drags us into an hypnotic world of voodoo, mambo-jambo, black magic, and the Lucifer.
But, this is not a classic-type horror flick per se. Instead, unique and stylish OCCULT-THRILLER like Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Ninth Gate" based on intrigue, confusion and contradiction. In terms of its twisty plot and surprise ending, it is the predecessor to "The Sixth Sense", "The Others", "The Skeleton Key", "Secret Window" and "Jacob's Ladder". If you enjoyed these movies, "Angel Heart" would be a favorite piece in your DVD collection.
Set in 1955, it is an excellent period work, as are the settings and cinematography, especially shots of dark, seedy, and steamy backdrops in Louisiana. The scenery is murky, the ambiance is eerie, flashbacks and images are distorted, all playing tricks on your mind. Surrealistic scenes are all shot beautifully and subtly: grotesque elevators, lurid ventilators, decaying buildings, sleazy rooms, echoes of closing doors, pieces of shattered memories, suffocating Louisiana swamps, blood dripping and running all over the room. Sometimes it's difficult to follow the plot precisely, and every detail needs to pay attention to get the clues and put the pieces together. It is likely that you would miss some details and second viewing would be helpful.
From beginning to end, a scuzzy and confused private-eye Mickey Rourke's performance is top-notch, you can't help but feel pity and sadness for him. Harry Angel is his magnum opus. Robert De Niro portrays more gruesome & deadly Satan in human form than Al Pacino's comedic & commercial Lucifer in "Devil's Advocate".
To sum up, an exquisite work from Alan Parker. The movie and lavish extras in this 2-disc edition serves up a double deal. Highly recommended...
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing, violent and brilliant, 23 Aug 2006
Without doubt, one of the best films ever made. But be warned, it does not make easy viewing. The themes are disturbing, and it contains much violence, though more in a psychological sense.
The acting is superb. Micky Rourke at his best, and a sad reminder of what a waste of talent he later became. De Niro plays his 'cameo' with great aplomb, almost, but not quite, matching his 'cameo' in The Untouchables.
The cinematography is first class - moody, dark and depressing; empahsising the disturbing subject matter. The flash back scenes are particularly atmospheric and disjointed - to good effect. The symbolism and imagery is also first rate - it's worth listening to Alan Parker's commentary on this, although for some this might spoil their enjoyment, especially if you like reading your own interpretations into things.
The twist at the end is superb, although I suspect many will see it coming a long time before it actually happens. Obviously, I won't give it away!
Overall, quite simply brilliant, and even better now it's been released in this two disk special edition! If you haven't seen this film, now is the time!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The ultimate supernatural thriller, 8 April 2008
Angel Heart is an excellent film. It's intriguing, it's macabre and it's beautifully shot.
The story follows the basic plot of the mysterious Louis Cypher (Robert De Niro) hiring private investigator Harold Angel (Mickey Rourke) in New York in 1955 to track down someone with whom he has 'unfinished business' with and hasn't seen since 1943.
The tale then leads to New Orleans where it always seems to rain and where anyone who the private eye (Rourke) comes into contact with is murdered in bizarre circumstances.
If you're watching this for the first time then the ending will really impress you. Even if you've seen it many times, it still doesn't fail to be very clever.
This is 2-pack edition is packed with extras and will make a fine addition to your DVD collection.
Overall, Angel Heart was one of the best films to come out of the 80's.
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