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. (Chris Hartley)

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

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