Review of Angel Heart (1987) by Kyle C — 09 Jan 2010

If this is anybody's movie, it's Mickey Rourke's. He is fantastic here at the top of his infamous early career. He plays the lead character with tortured charm, and that makes him almost instantly likeable.

Granted he does horrible things, but his wit and just plain coolness shines through. The cinematography swelters off the screen with a ferocity that few films today dare to have. There's a great organic, earthy feel that films from the 80's have and this is one of the best examples that I've seen.

One thing that brings it down a few notches is the very quick exposition near the end of the film. It seems forced and/or convoluted, and the journey we take to get to the end deserves a bit more, I don't know, respect.

Also, I'm irritated that this is billed as basically a De Niro movie...it's not. That being said, he gives a brooding performance that is overlooked in the annals of his career. This is 'Angel Heart' starring Mickey Rourke, a searing film that is not perfect, but hits on a few levels that may stir the soul.