Angel [Danny Boy] **** (1982, Stephen Rea, Veronica Quilligan, Alan Devlin, Peter Caffrey, Ray McAnally) – Classic Movie Review 3357

Stephen Rea stars as Irish saxophonist Danny, who gets in way over his head when he witnesses the murder of his band manager and a deaf-mute girl after a gig. After recalling to the police a sole clue of the orthopaedic shoes of the killers’ leader, he sets out to try to avenge the killing of the girl.

Writer-director Neil Jordan’s inspired directorial début is a splendidly moody, full-blooded and powerfully acted adult thriller. Rea is stupendous here as the troubled hero, and Technicolor cinematographer Chris Menges is the film’s other hero, turning out a constantly startling looking picture. Jordan propels an intelligent, gripping story way out of the rut of formula thrillers in an excellent, ultra-powerful piece of film-making.

Also in the cast are Veronica Quilligan, Alan Devlin, Peter Caffrey, Ray McAnally, Honor Hefferman, Donal McCann, Gerard McSorley, Ian McElhinney, Derek Lord and Lise-Ann McLaughlin.

It is one of the first films commissioned by Britain’s then new Channel 4 as a Film Four movie. Executive producer John Boorman wanted Liam Neeson to play Danny, but this set Rea and Jordan off on a long and successful partnership.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3357

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