Angel Heart

Angel Heart is a 1987 American noir horror mystery thriller film based on William Hjorstberg's 1978 novel "Falling Angel" that was directed & written by Alan Parker, starring Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet and Charlotte Rampling.

Plot
Set in New York in 1955, private detective Harold Angel (Mickey Rourke) is hired by a man named Louis Cyphre (Robert De Niro) to investigate the disappearance of a singer named Johnny Favorite, but the case takes an unexpected turn.

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

Production
"Angel Heart" was filmed from March 31st to July of 1986. The budget for the film was an estimated $17,000.

The majority of the filming took place in New York and Louisiana. The establishing shots of New Orleans were filmed at Decatur Street.

In the "Falling Angel" novel, the story was set in New York, but in the movie, much of the action of the film occurs in New Orleans. This change was suggested to Alan Parker by William Hjortsberg himself.

Before Mickey Rourke was cast in the role of Harry Angel, director Alan Parker offered the role to Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro (who would play the role of Louis Cyphre).

Alan Parker claimed that Robert De Niro's performance as Louis Cypher was so eerie and realistic that he generally avoided him during his scenes & let him direct himself.

The movie received some controversy before it was even released; then 19-year-old Lisa Bonet (who starred on "The Cosby Show" at the time) had a topless, extended graphic sex scene with then 35-year-old Mickey Rourke while blood was dripping from the walls.

In order for the movie to get an "R" rating, the scene was trimmed for the film's initial release in the United States, but an uncut "X" rated version was released. In Australia, the film was released uncut from its first release.

Box Office
The movie debuted at #4 at the box office, grossing $3,688,721 during its opening weekend, coming in behind films Lethal Weapons, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and Platoon. Domestically, it made $17,185,632.

Critical Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, "Angel Heart" was given a 78% rating based on 23 reviews with an average rating of 7.3\10.

Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half stars, saying, "Angel Heart is a thriller and a horror movie, but most of all it's an exuberant exercise in style, in which Parker and his actors have fun taking it to the limit".

Rita Kempley from the Washington Post said, "Angel Heart, with its stigmatic sets and satanic text, makes the perfect cult movie".

Accolades
1988 Saturn Awards
 * Best Supporting Actor: Robert De Niro (nominated)
 * Best Supporting Actress: Lisa Bonet (nominated)
 * Best Writing: Alan Parker (nominated)

1987 Jupiter Awards
 * Best International Actor: Mickey Rourke (won) (also for "A Prayer for Dying")

Young Artist Awards
 * Best Young Female Superstar in Motion Pictures: Lisa Bonet (won)