Director Parker continued to solidify his reputation as a strong filmmaker (though sometimes a misguided film like The Road To Wellville will slip by) with this above average mystery/thriller.

Set in 1955, this has private eye Mickey Rourke (before becoming an annoying B-movie star) being hired by oddly sinister Robert De Niro to track down a missing jazz singer only to get himself involved in voodoo, a strange love affair with Lisa Bonet (which spawns a controversial love scene), murder and other general weirdness.

Stylishly made and interesting with plenty of nifty visual delights and above average acting, this is a finely made little film that holds your attention well and is so strongly written that we're able to forgive the poor finale.

Review based on unrated version.

Directed By: Alan Parker.
Written By: Alan Parker.

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Lisa Bonet, Robert De Niro, Charlotte Rampling.