HEART CONDITION

US, 1990, 95 minutes, Colour.
Bob Hoskins, Denzel Washington, Chloe Webb.
Directed by James W. Parriot.

Heart Condition is a lightly amusing comedy, a variation on the changed identity genre. Bob Hoskins is a loud mouthed racist Los Angeles cop who has a heart attack. His heart replacement comes from his arch enemy, a suave black lawyer, played by Denzel Washington, who is murdered by gangsters. As Hoskins goes on his rounds again, Washington appears to him and together they track down and solve his murder.

The film has a number of comic touches - and variations on the invisible man jokes. It also means that Hoskins becomes aware of his racism. The supporting cast includes Chloe Webb (Nancy from Sid and Nancy).

1. Entertaining comedy, change of identity, ghost story, police investigation, variation on the Defiant Ones with the black and white man together (with a heart instead of chains)?

2. The world of Los Angeles, the sleazy world of prostitution political corruption? Police, gangsters - in the ordinary Los Angeles world?

3. The title the emphasis on Jack Mooney and his heart condition, the heart transplant - and a change of heart (literally and emotionally)?

4. Bob Hoskins' style as Jack Mooney, his following Stone, his clash with him, the car chase, wanting vengeance? His personal life style, a slob, eating? His home? Crystal and the past association, in love with her? His behaviour, the clash with his superiors, suspension? His cat and his home life? The heart seizure, the experience of the attack, the operation, the aftermath - and the visit from fellow police? 5. Stone as a suave and wealthy lawyer, slick manner, his relationship with Crystal and the girls, the dangers of the club, the car chase, drug deals, his murder, his heart available for transplant?

6. The prologue of the film with the girls, Crystal and her photography, the sexual behaviour, drugs, the death of the senator, the cover-up? The girls held, Stone releasing them, the police? The murders?

7. Mooney and Stone, the personal clashes, the race issue, the antagonism. Stone's appearing, Mooney's antics - and treading with a ghost? Reality and appearances? Working together, the investigation, Mooney persuaded by Stone?

8. The detective work, the leads, phone calls, the importance of sprucing Mooney up, the visit to the shops? The transformed Mooney? The date with Crystal, the question of manners and doing the right thing, the night together, Crystal’s reaction? Memories of the past? Her puzzlement about his behaviour?


9. Crystal's world, the pressures, the girlfriend, the prostitution, the photos, giving Mooney the role of film, the development of it? Her appearing with the child -and the irony that it was Stone's? His amazed reaction?

10. Mooney and his contacts, the police? Following the gangsters, the checkouts, the build-up? The beach house? Chases, shoot-out? And Stone helping things along as a ghost?

11. Stone and his response to the child, the effect? Crystal and her life - and her relationship with Mooney?

12. The happy resolution, the shooting, the photograph, the wedding, the baby - and the end of racism? A good hearted police thriller?