Angel Heart: Is the Devil in the Details... or the Score?

Okay, Hughes here, back with another deep dive into the murky depths of a soundtrack. This time, it's Alan Parker's "Angel Heart." Now, the movie itself is… something. Mickey Rourke at his peak sleaze, Robert De Niro being creepy AF, and a plot that twists you into a pretzel. But we're here for the MUSIC, right? Trevor Jones's score is GENIUS, especially when you consider how integral it is to the plot itself. My theory? The score isn't just underscoring the events, it's actively manipulating Rourke's character, Harry Angel. Think about it: that recurring, almost subliminal heartbeat motif? It's present from the FIRST shot, gets louder and more frantic as he gets closer to the truth. Is it just there to build suspense? I don't buy it. I think it's literally amplifying his guilt, his buried memories, turning up the heat until he cracks. There's this dread-filled cue that plays when he's getting closer to Epiphany Proudfoot that send chills down my spine every time I hear it. I think Jones is subtly telling us what's coming. Then there are the jazz cues peppered throughout, which are diegetic (meaning they're actually happening in the scene), but they still blend seamlessly with Jones's original score. That mixing blurs the line between Harry's reality and the forces acting upon him. It's almost like the devil himself, Louis Cyphre, is orchestrating the whole damn thing musically. I've always felt it was a brilliant touch, like the music is a tangible representation of Harry's decaying mental state. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I truly believe the score to "Angel Heart" is one of the most underrated and vital elements of the film. So next time you watch it (and if you haven't, fix that!), pay close attention to the music. Let me know what you think – Am I crazy or is Jones a musical mastermind feeding the narrative?