Angel Heart (1987) – Episode 152 – Decades of Horror 1980s

"I got a thing about chickens." Exactly what does Harry Angel mean by that? Join your faithful Grue Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they follow Harry’s investigation from New York to New Orleans in Alan Parker’s  Angel Heart (1987).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 152 – Angel Heart (1987)

Harry Angel, a private investigator, is hired by a man who calls himself Louis Cyphre to track down a singer named Johnny Favorite. But the investigation takes an unexpected and somber turn.

IMDb

 

• Director: Alan Parker
• Writers: Alan Parker (screenplay); based on Falling Angel (1978), a novel by William Hjortsberg
• Cast
  • Mickey Rourke as Harry Angel
  • Robert De Niro as Louis Cyphre
  • Lisa Bonet as Epiphany Proudfoot
  • Charlotte Rampling as Margaret Krusemark
  • Stocker Fontelieu as Ethan Krusemark
  • Brownie McGhee as Toots Sweet
  • Michael Higgins as Dr. Albert Fowler
  • Elizabeth Whitcraft as Connie
  • Charles Gordone as Spider Simpson
  • Dann Florek as Herman Winesap
  • Pruitt Taylor Vince as Detective Deimos
  • Kathleen Wilhoite as Nurse

Alan Parker’s Angel Heart received a lot of publicity but mostly for the wrong reason: then 18-year-old Lisa Bonet’s sex scene with Mickey Rourke. Granted, it is a fantastic scene, but it’s not the only reason to watch Angel Heart. Bill keeps on about the not-so-subtle names of the characters but appreciates the acting and the look of the film. Lisa Bonet is the star attraction for Crystal but she laments the predictability of the story. Chad has a bone to pick with Robert De Niro’s “Special Appearance by” billing but he thoroughly enjoyed Mickey Rourke’s performance. Angel Heart holds a special place in Jeff’s heart for several reasons, including his appreciation of William Hjortsberg’s source material. Your 70s Grue-Crew also gets into the development of the film which includes names like John Frankenheimer and Robert Redford.

Despite their poking some fun at this film, your Grue-Crew recommends it for the setpieces, the acting, and the neo-noir look of the film. If you haven’t seen Angel Heart, now is a good time to check it out. At this writing, it is available VOD and as on Blu-ray from Lionsgate.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s is part of the Decades of Horror 3-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1970s. In episode 153, the 80s Grue-Crew takes a look at The Dead Zone (1983), based on Stephen King’s novel and directed by David Cronenberg, starring Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Martin Sheen, Herbert Lom, Anthony Zerbe, and Colleen Dewhurst.

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