MovieChat Forums > Angel Heart (1987) Discussion > Lisa Bonet, cast only for sensationalism

Lisa Bonet, cast only for sensationalism

posted 10 years ago by rascal67
16 replies | jump to latest

The Cosby Show was popular and having Bonet in the film, gave it publicity and of course goody goodys an opportunity to get on their high horse and give the film more free publicity......how could she??? This may have been a shrewd move by the producers, but that said, Bonet was a crud actress and had no charisma or screen presence. The lady bathing her varicose veins at Coney Island, made more of an impact in her small role.

While visually arresting, the film is too flawed to be considered an 80's classic and casting Bonet only adds to them.

[–] Edward_de_Vere 10 years ago

Bonet was a crud actress and had no charisma or screen presence. The lady bathing her varicose veins at Coney Island, made more of an impact in her small role.

While visually arresting, the film is too flawed to be considered an 80's classic and casting Bonet only adds to them.

She was rather bland in the film, and it's obvious that she's remembered for the sex scene rather than for the quality of her acting, but I wouldn't say that Bonet was so bad that she ruined the film. Epiphany's role was rather minor, and her acting was boring rather than bad.

You are right, however, in how casting people for their fame rather than talent can ruin otherwise promising movies. It's especially obvious when you cast the celebrity non-actor next to people with real talent, e.g. Bonet opposite powerhouses like Rourke and DeNiro, or (far worse) the casting of Jennifer Lopez opposite Jack Nicholson, Judy Davis, and Michael Caine in Blood and Wine.

[–] rascal67 10 years ago

She was rather bland in the film, and it's obvious that she's remembered for the sex scene rather than for the quality of her acting...... Epiphany's role was rather minor, and her acting was boring rather than bad.
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Bonet had a couple of intense scenes, that involved strong sexuality and she wasn't up to task for the dramatic scenes, that hemmed them in. I wouldn't say Epiphany had a minor role, as she featured pretty much in it, for most of the second half. That is why they needed someone who could bring a bit of substance and layers\nuance to the role, since she was supposed to represent the darker aspect of voodoo rituals and an incestuous connection with Harry, via her mother; which should have been sultry and erotic and not surface sensuality.

This is part of the issue I have with the film, that it's impact was lessened, by a curious lack of tension and suspense, for the sake of a style, which didn't really mirror the substance that was on offer. The visual symbolism, appears a bit hollow to me and the film was aloof. Rourke was fine; but leading up to the revelation, there should have been something that would make me want to connect with his character, or at least give me a little something to make me care. I realize that he was evil; but we weren't supposed to know this, until near the end.

[–] R_Kane (15828) a year ago

Please, tell me about the LIGHTER side to Voodoo. Please. I fuckin’ DARE you.

[–] dnaceva 10 years ago

She's pretty bland on anything she's in,really. The few jobs she got was cause of The Cosby Show.

[–] information_police 9 years ago

Gee, a young, incredibly beautiful actress being cast in a movie for her pure sex appeal, how unusual.

"Smokey, this is not 'Nam, this is bowling. There are rules. "
-Walter Sobchak

[–] Drooch 8 years ago

Err, what? Bonet was unbelievably sexy in the film, and not in a cheap way - she was confident, intelligent and sultry yet with a soft voice and slight frame. She embodied female power, and you can see why Harry Angel was completely floored by her.

Can't believe Cosby got on his high horse and gave her shít for doing this great film, all the while he was busy being a serial rapist! He just couldn't handle Rourke getting a piece of his pudding pop.

[–] I_Luv_Apple 8 years ago

I'm with you. When I first saw Angel Heart I was in love with Lisa Bonet. God she was sexy as hell.

[–] chilone (18291) 5 years ago

She probably turned him down!

[–] TheArgentinian (7251) 4 years ago

Yeah, her introduction scene was hot.

[–] Seperatrix (1348) 2 years ago

Agreed. I'll add to that that I had no problem with Bonet on any level in the film. I think the film is excellent and everyone involved.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I don't think she was cast for the sensationalism at all.

Apparently, the main character was supposed to have sex with a black woman, and there was no way in hell in 1987 they were going to have a "full black" woman in a sex scene with a white man. Casting probably wanted a biracial woman from the getgo and it was gonna either be her or Rae Dawn Chong, LOL.

[–] ribtin (162) 2 years ago

You missed the point about her character also being his daughter. So she had to be biracial.

[–] wrlord (1224) 2 years ago

Clearly you weren't alive in 1987.

[–] PaladinNJ (21766) 5 years ago

No question she was cast because she was in the public eye due to the Cosby Show. That being said I think she really pulled it off.

[–] funkvader (84) 5 years ago

At least Bonet was sexy and had a body. Now we have to deal with her brat entitled kid who has nothing.

[–] BourbonKing (5787) 4 years ago

She was an "it" girl back in '87. I never thought of her as a decent actress though, just eye-candy.