``Angel Heart'' Mickey Rourke's sadness, steeped in Alan Parker's worldview

Avoiding the adult rating and later becoming a cult movie

When it was screened in Japan in 1987, it was a hit in Japan due to its scary atmosphere and Mickey Rourke's popularity, but in America it was initially on the verge of being rated for adults. The violent love scene between Rourke and Lisa Bonet caused problems, and with some tweaks, the film was rated one step lower, R. This scene is not only erotic, but also has an intense horror effect with a large amount of blood dripping from the ceiling.

This movie is also full of shocking images. People who seem to know Johnny's secret meet tragic ends one after another, but the way they are killed is bizarre and grotesque (just like in Yokomizo's official history in Japan). Also, a Southern voodoo ritual appears, and a chicken reveals its harrowing appearance. These horror-style scenes are brutal enough to make you want to cover your eyes, making you feel like you've stepped into Inferno, but at the same time, the images also have a sophisticated elegance to them.

Alan Parker came from the commercial world and was a director who shot modern, sharp images.In this work, he was good at shooting dark scenes such as spiral staircases and old elevators, and the use of shadows for effect gave the whole picture an elegant look. It heightens the fear of In addition, the close-up of the feet of a black child tap dancing increases the sense of urgency with the sound of their shoes clicking, and the sound of the pounding heart is used as a sound effect to create a sense of approaching fear. produce. It's a sandwich of the gruesomeness of a horror film and the moody atmosphere of a hard-boiled film.

"Angel Heart" (C) 1987 StudioCanal. All Rights Reserved.

When you watch it all the way to the end, you realize that it was actually a simple story, but while you're watching it, you'll be captivated by the atmosphere and your heart will be pounding as you stare at the screen. And even if you start over from the beginning after you figure out the mystery, you'll enjoy it all over again. This is probably due to Parker's keen sense of visuals and sounds.

Of course, Mickey Rourke in his prime is also in full display! A baggy suit and a shabby coat. wide tie. Although he wears a very loose fashion, he is full of sex appeal, and you can't take your eyes off his ever-changing facial expressions (occasionally, he shows an innocent expression like that of a baby).

When I interviewed director Parker in the 1990s, this movie came up as a topic. ``Mickey was great in that movie. It might have been his best performance.'' Parker agreed with my question.

"It might be his best performance for sure. He really fit Mickey in that role, and he seemed really comfortable in the role."

On his movie website, the director says, ``I wanted the role of Harry Angel to evoke sympathy from the viewer,'' and his aim was successful, as when all the mysteries were revealed, Harry We can see the deep despair and sadness that he feels. The ending makes you feel something like human destiny, and you will be fascinated by the character of Harry Angel, who is both devilishly cruel and sad.

There is a scene in the play where Epiphany talks about Johnny Favorite, who was her mother's lover. "That's what my mother used to say about Johnny: He was almost the devil, but he was also a great lover."

Even though he is the worst man, he is the most charming lover. Such expressions about Johnny also seem to overlap with Mickey Rourke himself as an actor. Mickey, who has contradictory parts, may have been able to express the protagonist's sadness with his whole body (it may be his own sadness. Even in his later masterpiece " The Wrestler " (2008), his sadness was expressed with his whole body. It hit me in the chest). Mickey Rourke's soft, marshmallow-like voice was one of the charms of Mickey Rourke, and in this film you can also enjoy his gentle delivery of lines.

According to the director, the film now has a cult following around the world. Mickey must have been really lucky to have met a director as powerful as Alan Parker at the peak of his career and to have been able to give his best performance. After that, Mickey had an unfortunate life as an actor, so the image of his younger days etched in the depths of the footage now shines even brighter.

Text: Sawako Omori

Movie journalist. His books include "Lost Cinema" (Kawade Shobo Shinsha) and other books, and his translations include "Woody" (by D. Evanier, Kinema Junposha). Contributes to magazines such as ``Weekly Women'', ``Music Magazine'', and ``Kinema Junpo''. A research book based on the web series, `` Mini Theater Revisited, '' is also scheduled to be published.

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"Angel Heart"

Blu-ray now on sale 3,800 yen (excluding tax)

Publisher: TC Entertainment/Zekora

Distributor: TC Entertainment

(C) 1987 StudioCanal. All Rights Reserved.