No question, Angel Heart is a kind of movie not for everyone. Ideally suited for mature and attentive viewers with a particular zest in movies seeped in a bizzare Dali-type surrealism full of mystery, supernaturality, violence, bloodshed and sex. I drags us into an hypnotic world of voodoo, mambo-jambo, black magic, and the Lucifer.

But, this is not a classic-type horror flick per se. Instead, unique and stylish OCCULT-THRILLER like Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Ninth Gate" based on intrigue, confusion and contradiction. In terms of its twisty plot and surprise ending, it is the predecessor to "The Sixth Sense", "The Others", "The Skeleton Key", "Secret Window" and "Jacob's Ladder". If you enjoyed these movies, "Angel Heart" would be a favorite piece in your DVD collection.

Set in 1955, it is an excellent period work, as are the settings and cinematography, especially shots of dark, seedy, and steamy backdrops in Louisiana. The scenery is murky, the ambiance is eerie, flashbacks and images are distorted, all playing tricks on your mind. Surrealistic scenes are all shot beautifully and subtly: grotesque elevators, lurid ventilators, decaying buildings, sleazy rooms, echoes of closing doors, pieces of shattered memories, suffocating Louisiana swamps, blood dripping and running all over the room. Sometimes it's difficult to follow the plot precisely, and every detail needs to pay attention to get the clues and put the pieces together. It is likely that you would miss some details and second viewing would be helpful.

From beginning to end, a scuzzy and confused private-eye Mickey Rourke's performance is top-notch, you can't help but feel pity and sadness for him. Harry Angel is his magnum opus. Robert De Niro portrays more gruesome & deadly Satan in human form than Al Pacino's comedic & commercial Lucifer in "Devil's Advocate".

To sum up, an exquisite work from Alan Parker. The movie and lavish extras in this 2-disc edition serves up a double deal. Highly recommended...