What are your thoughts on Angel Heart?

[Ray Jackson]

I just saw this last night for the first time and I was a little disappointed.

I'd seen this movie for years in video stores and thought about renting it, but never did. Yesterday I found a cheap copy in a buy/sell shop and decided to go for it. I thought it was good, but definitely not great. Just okay is about the best way to say it.

Thought it was more style than substance. Would've liked them to go deeper into the spiritual, Satanic angle, which they really didn't do until the very end. Robert Deniro shows up in a few very brief scenes to collect a paycheck and Lisa Bonet really doesn't have the dramatic acting chops to pull of that role imo.

What are y'all thoughts?

Underrated gem...or mediocre tripe?

[BladeRunner2007]

Underrated gem, definitely. I've only seen it once and someone spoiled the twist (actually the entire plot) for me, but I was still on the edge of my seat the entire time. I love the atmosphere. Visually this movie is so interesting and compelling. The acting is great too. I'll have to see how well it holds up on another viewing, but as of now, I love this movie.

[simonynwa]

I thought it was pretty good, love the atmosphere and found the ending very interesting and creepy.

[Ray Jackson]

Judging by the dearth of responses, I'll take that to mean most people agree with me.

...or haven't seen it.

[octagon]

Underrated gem.

It's generally well thought of and rightly so.

[Moviefan2k4]

Never heard of it.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by octagon

Underrated gem.

It's generally well thought of and rightly so.

There was nothing about it that really stood out to me as a great movie.

No one scene really struck me as especially memorable.

Well...maybe the love scene.

[octagon]

I don't know if I would say it's great but it's well above average. It's very well made, it's creepy and atmospheric, Mickey Rourke is very good and everybody else is decent to very good (DeNiro being a possible exception, actually), the music is good, the story is intelligent and doesn't talk down to the audience, it's a cool, sexy blend of noir and horror...as thrillers go it was pretty damned good.

And I think it's aged well too.

[Thomas Irwin]

I have it on Blu-ray, though it's been some time since I've watched it, and I honestly don't remember a good deal of it. I do remember liking the film though, and agree that it had great atmosphere from what I do remember.

[Chiefy]

Great movie, at least a 3.5/4

[Tuco_76]

Originally Posted by octagon

I don't know if I would say it's great but it's well above average. It's very well made, it's creepy and atmospheric, Mickey Rourke is very good and everybody else is decent to very good (DeNiro being a possible exception, actually), the music is good, the story is intelligent and doesn't talk down to the audience, it's a cool, sexy blend of noir and horror...as thrillers go it was pretty damned good.

And I think it's aged well too.

Totally agree. I really love this movie, IMO its a minor masterpiece of its own.
Seen it like 7-8 times, its absolutely rewarding on rewatch.
Also, the US-remastered BD highly recommended, huge upgrade on P/AQ
->
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Angel...-Blu-ray/6864/

[Tuco_76]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

someone spoiled the twist (actually the entire plot) for me.

Damn.

Originally Posted by octagon

Underrated gem.

It's generally well thought of and rightly so.

"Underrated" might not quite cut it, agreed.
Still, IMO its slightly underappreciated. Might be arguably though

[dallywhitty]

This is one I've always wanted to see. It was on television recently and I caught bits of it and it seemed to be every bit as intriguing and atmospheric as I expected. I'm sure I'll buy it at some point and watch it in its entirety.

[the-daryl]

I really enjoy this movie. I saw it in the theater. (Yes, I'm old ) and was blown away. I watched it a month ago and wasn't blown away as much as moved and creeped out. It stands up well, imo.

[Show spoiler]To me, the horror of being the beast under the bed and that slow realization combined with the awesome elevator/end credits scene make it a memorable and timeless classic

But you know different tastes and all that.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Angel Heart was 80s film-making at it's most vapid. It's for those who think that it just takes shots of rotating fans and shadows that blinds cast to affect a film noir atmosphere. I've only seen it once when it came out and it didn't look like a film to me, it looked like those pop videos which tried to look like films which were on MTV at the time.

[JimDiGriz]

Ive got a soft spot for Angel Heart - its got great atmosphere and Mickey Rourke has never been better. De Niro is great too of course as he always was before 2000. Easy 8.5/10 for me.

[Tuco_76]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

Ive got a soft spot for Angel Heart - its got great atmosphere and Mickey Rourke has never been better.

Nicely put. Its 95% the atmospere and Rourke pulling it off for me, I guess.
concerning filmmaking qualities, might be overdone calling it a masterpiece got carried away a bit there. Also, I connect real nice memories with this movie, 13-years old, while having sort of a "first date" in our living room

[lolwut]

I was disappointed as well, having heard nothing but good things for years. I think it's definitely overrated, but I still gave it a 7.

[Elandyll]

I haven't seen it in a long time (even though I own the Blu), but from my memory it is a great movie, with tons of atmosphere and a killer twist.

[OI8T12]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

Ive got a soft spot for Angel Heart - its got great atmosphere and Mickey Rourke has never been better. De Niro is great too of course as he always was before 2000. Easy 8.5/10 for me.

Mickey was very good in Angel Heart, but I think he was even better in The Wrestler. I haven't seen Angel Heart since it first came out, so I would have to see it again to refresh my memory. From what I do remember, I thought it was very good.