h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Has anyone noticed that the film 'Angel Heart' is based on the tale of 'Oedipus Rex'? Mickey Rourke is a detective out hunting down a man, Johnny Favorite, who turns out to be himself. He's hunting down himself, just like Oedipus, and tormented they both cry out from time to time the words 'I will know who I am!'. Also, towards the end of the film, Luicifer played by Robert de Niro utters that *exact* same words to Mickey Rourke (Jonny Favorite) that the blind Laertes speaks to Oedipus: 'Wise words, but when wisdom brings no profit to be wise is to suffer.'

Also, the incest theme is contined as Jonny Favorite has sex with his daughter.

Is this what they mean when they said 'Angel Heart' was a family film?



That's a cracking point there, Sam. Most people just lookat the Faustian aspect of that film, but it's clearly much closer to the Oedipal legend.

And, in common with all good Alan Parker films, it also features loads of chickens and eggs.