Angel Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Angel Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 15, 2020

Sexploitation goes kind of sad in 1984’s “Angel,” which was marketed brilliantly by the folks at New World Pictures, promising audiences a sleazy endeavor tracking the daily life of a “High School Honor Student by Day, Hollywood Hooker by Night.” It’s quite the come-on, but the screenplay by Joseph Michael Cala and Robert Vincent O’Neil (who also directs) isn’t interested in providing cheap thrills with this chiller. It’s grittier than it initially appears, with “Angel” concentrating on the suspense of a serial killer story, but also the weariness of the titular character’s life as she tries to keep her head above water. There’s a certain level of realism to go with B-movie activity, which doesn’t exactly welcome viewers to what’s truly an incredible downer, but it does make the endeavor compelling to certain extent.

At North Oaks Prep School, 15-year-old Molly (Donna Wilkes) is a top student, but she’s struggling to fit in with her peers. At home, Molly is left on her own, maintaining a lifestyle while her parents are unavailable. Taking to the street as a teen prostitute, Molly becomes “Angel,” finding friends with the characters of Hollywood Boulevard, including cowboy Kit (Rory Calhoun), landlord Solly (Susan Tyrell), and protector Mae (Dick Shawn). While Molly struggles to survive during a difficult time, her anxiety increases with the arrival of The Killer (John Diehl), a silent madman stalking and murdering local streetwalkers, creating terror in the area Lt. Andrews (Cliff Gorman) is looking to shut down.

While the premise of “Angel” is enough to inspire a post-read shower, O’Neil remains surprisingly tasteful with the material. Others would dig into the jailbait potential of the lead character, but O’Neil tends to shy away from any overt showcase of Molly’s professional sexuality, concentrating on the complications of her life, which are many as a teenager trying to support herself on the streets of Los Angeles. It’s a fascinating character, with Molly succeeding in school but stuck dealing with bullies. During the evenings, she has friends and a social life, coming alive while roving the streets, turning the occasional trick. Of course, she has a few secrets, which tend to sober up “Angel” in the final act, adding some unexpected emotional weight to the viewing experience. The tale gets grim, but there’s also a serial killer aspect to the story, giving O’Neil a chance to fulfill audience expectation with lurid acts of murder and impossibly disgusting egg consumption.

Angel Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm interpositive," "Angel" debuts on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, and it's impressive. Colors are surprisingly plentiful in the largely downbeat film, but cinematography brings out terrific hues, emerging from period and streetwalker costuming, and the dynamic lighting found on Hollywood Boulevard, with signage a particular highlight, adding bold yellows and reds. Skintones are natural. Detail is strong throughout, but facial surfaces capture attention, delivering a sense of age and intensity. Clothing is fibrous. Distances are valued here, capturing long streets bustling with activity, delivering a time capsule look at the area in 1983. Delineation is precise. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in strong condition.

Angel Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix has a slightly hotter appreciation for soundtrack selections, but nothing's uncomfortable, keeping the hits appreciable. Scoring is consistent, with detailed instrumentation and volume support. Dialogue exchanges are appealing, isolating specific performance choices and emotionality. Atmospherics go about as far as possible, with a decent sense of street activity and school commotion. Sound effects retain snap.

Angel Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Discovering an Angel" (30:14, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Robert Vincent O'Neil, who initially shares his industry history as a set dresser, impressing the likes of Richard Rush with his talents, encouraging him to move up to a helming career. Directorial challenges are presented, with O'Neil carful about planning to make the most of his limited budgets and equipment, while "Angel" presented the issue of working without a permit on Hollywood Boulevard, necessitating speed and some cooperation from the local cops. Character inspirations are revealed, as the image of an underage prostitute fueled the early days of writing, and casting is explored, with John Diehl sharing his special egg- sucking gift to win the role of the killer. Technical achievements are noted, and an appreciation for Craig Safan's score concludes the conversation.

• "Playing Both Sides" (12:09, HD) sits down with Donna Wilkes, who was working on a soap opera when she won the titular role in "Angel." She recalls her audition and her personal research with Hollywood Boulevard prostitutes, aiming to bring authenticity to her performance. Wilkes details her relationship with O'Neil, praising the director and his availability, and she recalls the breakneck pace of production, which was completed in a matter of weeks. Answering a major question about the making of "Angel," the interviewee shares the experience of running down a crowded street with a prop gun, frightening those unaware a movie was being made. Co-stars are assessed, with cast camaraderie fondly remembered. Wilkes highlights her life after the film, turning down the sequels to eventually close her career, valuing the importance of motherhood and all the focus it requires.

• "A Chance Meeting" (16:48, HD) is a chat with co-writer Joseph Michael Cala, who details his early life and career before getting into the business, sharing an educational history with O'Neil, making for a comfortable partnership. While hatching the idea for "Angel" was easy, Cala shares his anxiety over the production's swift development, with the screenplay written in January and the film completed in June. The interviewee talks inspirations, including "The Wizard of Oz," with Angel the Dorothy figure surrounded by her fantasy pals, and he praises O'Neil's work ethic as a director, especially during his cameo as a porn theater manager. Safan's score is commended, along with the cast. Cala recalls his initial viewing of "Angel," and its unexpected box office performance, knocking rival "Hot Dog: The Movie" out of large theaters in Los Angeles when audience demand increased.

• "Angel's Theme" (9:50, HD) is a brief discussion of music with composer Craig Safan, who had five days to fully rescore "Angel," working furiously to complete the job. Early interest in music led to a curiosity about a potential career, getting his start with an unreleased John McTiernan horror film. Highlighting the challenges of "Angel," Safan describes his plan to break down moods and deal with different instruments. The project boosted his developing career, joining "The Last Starfighter" as calling cards for future employment. Safan also lovingly examines ancient equipment used in the 1980s to record and master audio.

• Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (6:35, HD) are an assortment of lost moments from "Angel," presented without sound.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:48, HD) is included.

Angel Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Angel" isn't fun, and it doesn't always have enough incident to secure attention, resorting to some padding to get the run time up, finding asides with Andrews rather dull. Getting screen energy back up are supporting turns from Shawn, Tyrell, and Calhoun, with the Hollywood Boulevard crew delivering needed humor and idiosyncrasy to the endeavor, giving it a shot of acting veteran liveliness to break the picture out of its periodic slumber. It's not always the most engrossing feature, but "Angel" also doesn't play to expectations, striving to understand the central crisis of character duality and survival, without resorting to pure sliminess just to get by.