Angel Heart is a psychological thriller and crime mystery that was filmed in 1987, and based on a book titled Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg. After first viewing the film Angel Heart, i didn't think it was so interesting at first. I'll admit i was a little confused, the plot of the film was a little puzzling to me, but eventually i caught on to what was really happening in the movie. I thought the movie was actually very cool to watch. The input of the voodoo scenery and all the extra subjugations added a controversial curiosity to the viewers mind before you actually get to the end of the film. The movie takes place in New York City in the beginning and shows Angel, a private eye from Brooklyn who is paid to find a man by the name of Johnny Favorite in New Orleans on behalf of a man named Cypher who claims that Johnny has an unpaid debt owed to him. The unpaid debt is not disclosed to us at that time. The film has the overall feel of a murder mystery and I didn’t recognize it at first as a Gothic film, however, my discovery of “film Noir” has lead me to a clearer understanding for the movie as a whole. It is important to the overall understanding of, or vision of, the novel to recognize its unique characteristics as they are related to both the gothic, and film noir traditions.
There is a long history, or a close relationship between modern film noir, or noir fiction, and the gothic genre. In fact, that relationship can be seen in the name “noir.” Gothic novels were once known as “Roman Noir” and according to Naremore, the gothic novel, and from it the noir genre as a whole derived together out of a late form of French Romanticism with a tendency to embrace the darker side of relationships (46; 313). However, it is important, in the context of understanding the movie Angel Heart, to consider where the two genres are similar, and where they have begun to diverge.
First, it is useful to consider the setting. Gothic films often occur in the dark, and in a setting that inspires a sense of mystery. This is similarly true of Film Noir. However, this genre also commonly relies on areas like castles. In contrast, film noir commonly uses urban landscapes, as is used in Angel Heart. Additionally the way that darkness is specifically used to obscure the faces of characters, in order to prolong the mystery and suspense is a troupe of the Noir genre (Filmmaker IQ, 2010). Critic R. Ebert described the darkness of the genre as” Locations that reek of the night, of shadows, of alleys, of the back doors of fancy places, of apartment buildings with a high turnover rate, of taxi drivers and bartenders who have seen it all.” (1) In this respect, it is clear, from the very beginning that Angel Heart will be developed in the Film Noir tradition.
The atmosphere and the mood of the film definitely does reflect on Gothic genre. I say this because of the scenes through out the whole movie doesn't ease up on the creepiness at all. The film involves all that Gothic genre would consist of like murder, sexuality, symbols, illusions, lots of blood shedding, etc. Some of these features, however, take on a slightly different, or more specific form that is closer related to the Film Noir genre as well.
Theres is a significant sex scene, for example, in the film, in which aggressive sex brings on graphic and bloody visions. Ebert described sexuality in film noir as “love is only the final flop card in the poker game of death.” Meaning that love and the death of related characters were often closely related. Further, writer Catheryn Grant describes the role of sex in film noir as placing an the “emphasis on sexual relationships and the use of sex to advance the plot.” This is certainly true in Angel Heart, as the sex is what will eventually lead him to discovery of his own identity and admission of his violence.
In the film, while Angel is doing his investigations to try to find Johnny, suspiciously everyone he comes in contact with to interrogate for clues to find Johnny is are murdered shortly after his visit. Angel isn't really into the whole voodoo thing, he clearly tells everyone who attempts to enlighten him with the truth about voodoo existing that he is from Brooklyn and he does not believe in that. But little does he know he has been unconsciously doing evil acts under the control of cypher. We eventually learn that this Johnny person has sold his sold to the Devil and is living in Angel’s body but Angel dose not believe that he is the one responsible for every murder, that all the blood is on his hands. Johnny made a pact with the devil which is a normal attribute in most Gothic stories. The murders that were committed are heinous crimes. They include acts of someones heart being ripped out literally, a doctor being shot in his eye, a genital being cut off and placed in the persons mouth, the rape and murder of a girl who we find out eventually is his daughter, and boiling off another victims head.
As much as the movies shows us that these vile crimes happened because of Angel snooping around, the truth is Angel did them all by him self according to the world, all the evidence is blamed on him. Who knows mabey this was who he truly is and was afraid of to let the world know he he truly is. He does not want to admit this about his inner self and dealing with the consequences is something he is not prepared for. I think i understood that he could have put a stop to it had he decided to go back to New York, but the movie shows that he keeps on going which makes me believe that he only wanted to endure more of the wickedness. Also i must say the music had a lot to do with making each scene more concord to the views, especially to sexual scene where the lyrics to the words matched the actions taking place in the bedroom.
The same goes for The Picture of Dorian, Directed by Albert Lewin (1945) and Mr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Directed by victor Fleming (1941) None of the characters in the Gothic/ Horror genres wanted to endure the consequences for their acts even though they know they will suffer for their sins when the time comes. The only important aspect to them was to keep doing what they wanted to do. Whether it be to sell a sacrifice a soul or compel violence towards others. The joy of part taking in abominable acts out way the guilt of the good.It actually reminds me of the movie Candy man, Directed by Bernard Rose (1992). Candy man was about a female student by the name of Helen who was doing research on superstitions in a housing project in Chicago. Helen went around the neighborhood to ask questions to get information for her research, but her snooping became more than what she had bargained for.
Works Cited:
“Ultimate Filmmaker’s Guide to Film Noir.” The Filmaker IQ. 2010. Web.
Ebert, Roger. A Guide To Film Noir Genre. 1995. Web.
Grant, Cathryn. “Suburban Noir” 2016. Web.
Naremore, James. More than Night: Film Noir in Its Contexts. 2008. Print. San Diego: University of CA Press.
