“Harry Angel” is a film adaptation of the most famous novel, who died in 2017 by William Hjortsberg in the original entitled “Falling Angel” and by Alana Parker renamed “Angel’s Heart “or” Angel’s Heart “. The Polish title of the film and novel focuses on her hero – private New York detective Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke)which in 1955 at the request of the French-American businessman Louisa Cyphre’and (Robert de Niro) undertakes to find Johnny’ego favorite’Oh, once the famous singerwho lost his memory as a result of war injuries, and then disappeared from a private hospital in which he underwent convalescence. Angel sets out in the forest traces’A, which will lead him to New Orleans from New York, to the world of followers of Voodoo and Black Magic.
This is one of those rare images that with each subsequent screening do not cease to intrigue, revealing new layers and interpretative clues to the viewer, just like a few years older, and also Ridley Scott’s “Android Hunter”. Both films connect not only the figure of a lonely detective who is trying to solve a multi -story criminal charade, but also the fact that At the time of release, they suffered a attendance failure to gain the status of absolutely cult works after years. In Poland, this title also flashed through the screens of the late PRL, a real sensation on pirate VHS cassettes. And today he has a chance to appear in cinemas in a completely new era.
And although nearly 40 years have passed since the premiere of Parker’s film, this is one of those titles that you can say that Absolutely rely on the passage of time. This is due not only to the intriguing plot and efficient directing, but also visual narrative and effective acting creations.
Adriana Lyne, which is on top thanks to the roles in “9 and a half weeks”‘A Barbet Schroedera Mickey Rourke creates one of the most iconic figures of detective in the history of cinema. His Harry Angel is the perfect mix of Chandler’s cynic with a trauma of war veteran, whose personality keeps further doses of alcohol in check. And remembering, among others thanks to carefully manicured nails Louis Cyphre’s demonic creation’and in the performance of Robert de Niro is an absolute masterpiece discreet horror. And they complement the screen palette Charlotte Rampling as Margaret Krusemark and 19-year-old flirting with black magic Lisa Bonet as a practicing voodoo Epiphany Proudfoot. Realized with her and Rourke’And the screen sex scene to this day is considered one of the most hypnotizing and bloody in the history of cinema. And at the time of its premiere it caused censorship intervention.
The visual layer of the film is due to Parker’s permanent collaborator – operator Michael Seresinwhich first leads us through the dark streets of Rainy New York, and then spread the screen with a stuffy atmosphere of sunny New Orleans. And the impressions are enhanced by the disturbing music of Trevor Jones, in which the failing sounds of the Courtney Pine saxophone stand out to the fore’and.
Parker’s image has inspired many artists for years, headed by Christopher Nolanwho took a handful of “Harry’ego Angela “while working on the debut “Memento”. Today, however, it is one of the film classics Southern Gothicwhich is on top again recently thanks to excellent “Sinners” Ryan Coogler. And from time to time rumors with a possible remake are coming from Hollywood’at the iconic classic. In 2020, three years after the death of the literary author of the prototype of William Hjortsberg, a novel continuation appeared – “Angel’S Inferno “, in which Harry goes to Paris to track Louis Cyphre’a. And although there is no chance for the film sequel from De Niro and Rourke, it is possible that in some time Angel will return in a completely new setting.
Meanwhile It is worth enjoying in the cinemas refreshed the original in the 4K version. Screening “Harry’Ego Angela “After years, it is like a glass of 40-year-old Bourbon, which has grown up great, and his taste and fragrance notes have become even more complex and intriguing over time.
8/10
“Harry Angel”dir. Alan Parker, USA 1987, distributor: reset, cinema premiere after October 10, 2025.