It's exquisitely well-made. The score, the cinematography, the actors...all excellent. Its twist ending must be the envy of M. Night Shyamalan. So why didn't I like it more?
A well-executed Polanski riff. Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby...they're here. But the movie doesn't transcend its inspiration. The movie isn't weird enough, or "un-supernatural" enough. This movie is in-between. The religious scenes have been seen many times before - and I rolled my goddamn eyes at the African-American chicken sacrifice.
Mickey Rourke saves this movie - his performance is believable, as his character grows to become capable of what you wouldn't initially expect. But Angel Heart reminded me of the other Alan Parker films I'd seen so far, like Midnight Express - it pretty much does exactly what you'd expect it would. The ending is a bit of a surprise, but if you wanted to see this movie, you would've been hoping to see one.
I really don't know about Angel Heart. The movie works, and its craftsmanship is remarkable. But it's too familiar at times, and too tries too hard at others with cliche imagery. See: freaky voodoo fucking.
A well-executed Polanski riff. Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby...they're here. But the movie doesn't transcend its inspiration. The movie isn't weird enough, or "un-supernatural" enough. This movie is in-between. The religious scenes have been seen many times before - and I rolled my goddamn eyes at the African-American chicken sacrifice.
Mickey Rourke saves this movie - his performance is believable, as his character grows to become capable of what you wouldn't initially expect. But Angel Heart reminded me of the other Alan Parker films I'd seen so far, like Midnight Express - it pretty much does exactly what you'd expect it would. The ending is a bit of a surprise, but if you wanted to see this movie, you would've been hoping to see one.
I really don't know about Angel Heart. The movie works, and its craftsmanship is remarkable. But it's too familiar at times, and too tries too hard at others with cliche imagery. See: freaky voodoo fucking.
