After years of wanting to see the movie “Angel Heart “ I was
finally able to remember to look for it in the used section of a video store
and buy a copy. It was a wise choice because I was instantly impressed with it
and wished that I had seen it when I first read about it. It’s a lovely mixture
of film noir and horror with beautiful scenery in both New York and New
Orleans. It’s stylish and well-paced, keeping the viewer engaged throughout.
Harry Angel is a New York PI who is hired by a mysterious client
named Louis Cyphre, who wants a performer named Johnny Favorite found so he can
repay his debt. Angel is told that Favorite was last seen at a private hospital
receiving treatment for trauma that he received while serving in the War (WW2).
This is just the beginning of a long series of events that lead Angel to one
former associate to another, all whom had dealt with Favorite at some point
before the War but not since. This chain of events eventually leads Angel to
New Orleans where Favorite had performed and had previous relationships before
being drafted. As Angel is performing his inquires, various associates are
found murdered, causing the local authorities to suspect Angel. Angel wants out
after the first dead body shows up but is essentially bribed by Mr. Cyphre to
continue until Favorite is found. Eventually the truth is uncovered as magic,
voodoo, lovers, and shady business partners all collide in a delicious manner. Mmm,
gumbo!
Favorite moment – Angel meets Mr. Cyphre in a small café in
New Orleans to give him an update on his investigation. During this exchange,
Mr. Cyphre (played by Robert De Niro) delivers the best statement in the entire
movie. “There’s just enough religion in the world to make men hate each other
enough not to love.” It’s the perfect sentence for his character say….
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