Denzel Washington’s legendary career has been marked by powerful dramatic performances that resonate with the souls of audiences worldwide. But his rare attempts at comedy with movies such asThe Preacher’s Wifeand2 Gunsoften fly under the radar. Perhaps the actor’s attempts at sidestepping the genre for years can be traced back to a 1990bromancecalledHeart Condition.
For all of Washington’s outstanding acting roles and the accolades that come with them, he’s not immune to career mistakes, such as novice directorJames D. Parriott’s attempt at a supernatural take on48 HRS. Fresh off his Oscar-winning performance in the Civil War epicGlory, Washington sought to lighten up his serious actor image by playing a ghost lawyer oppositeBob Hoskins’s unhealthy racist cop. With numerous shortcomings due to low-brow jokes and tropes typically found in ghost-related comedies,Heart Conditionstruggles to stand out as a buddy comedy.
What Is ‘Heart Condition’ About?
Slick attorney Napoleon Stone (Washington) is constantly at odds with the LAPD’s Jack Mooney (Hoskins), an out-of-shape racist with a penchant for chain-smoking, drinking, and junk food. Much of this tension stems from Stone sparking a relationship with Mooney’s ex-girlfriend Crystal (Sid and Nancy’sChloe Webb). But on one fateful night,Stone is killed in a mysterious car crash just as Mooney has a heart attack.Fortunately for the cop, an emergency heart operation saves his life.
Upon waking up from the operation, however,Mooney is haunted by Stone upon learning the lawyer’s heart was transplanted into him.This extraordinary relationship causes Mooney to confront his bigotry and sloppy habits through Stone’s constant slandering of his lifestyle choices. As the two pursue the men responsible for Stone’s death, Mooney comes to terms with his issues while forming an unlikely bond with the angel on his shoulder.
Heart Condition’s premise is ripe for all kinds of buddy movie bantering and twisted supernatural elements that elevated movies likeGhostbustersandBeetlejuice. What this movie lacks is the comedic energy that made those comedies so successful. Both stars lean on what they do best between Washington’s handsome confidence and Hoskins’s short-tempered attitude. Ironically,Heart Conditionwas released the same year as the blockbuster hitGhost,which featured winning chemistry between a straight-lacedPatrick Swayzeand a hilariously clairvoyantWhoopi Goldberg. But when it comes toCondition,both actors play their roles virtually straight as Washington’s performance doesn’t exactly bring anEddie MurphyorMel Gibsonkind of energy to an edgy Hoskins.
Denzel Washington Pushed to Tone Down Race Jokes in ‘Heart Condition'
BeforeHeart Condition, Washington had only one comedic role to his credit, with his cinematic debut in 1981’sCarbon Copy. Unlike Copy’s racial comedy, which had an endearing undertone,Heart Condition’s humor is completely driven by racial slurs and comedic moments where Washington pushes Hoskins to act more like a Black man, as well as ruffling the feathers of some large gang members in a bowling alley. Had it not been for Washington’s casting,Heart Conditionwas planned to be far more offensive, withStone originally written as a street pimpbefore the Oscar winner pushed for a change along with toning down the racial humor.
For two incredibly talented actors,Heart Conditiondoes not know what tone it should have. There’s the usual‘80s montagewith Washington showing Hoskins how to dress to impress Crystal on a date and a crude visual gag of Hoskins waking up in the hospital to a certain sex object in his bed. Additionally, it relies heavily on the usual ghost comedy tropes of people looking at Hoskins acting a madman when interacting with the ghost of Washington. But then there are the darker, more serious moments where the movie runs out of energy, like the shocking reveal of Webb having Washington’s biracial child. Because of these moments, Washington and Hoskins never truly find magical chemistry as a mixed-match duo.
Though tonal issues plagueHeart Conditionas a buddy comedy, there is no denying thatWashington and Hoskins try their best as critically acclaimed actors to deliver captivating scenes that show their range. The scene where the characters attend an open house for the slain lawyer features the film’s most heartbreaking moment, when Stone’s mother (Ja’net DuBois) touches Mooney’s chest scar with Stone observing like a somber child. It’s a crucial moment in revealing how Mooney’s bigoted ways start to soften.
For the caliber of talent involved between Washington and Hoskins, their pairing deserved something better than the outdated racial humor ofHeart Condition. For a story that has plenty to say about getting past race to find inner peace,the material falls short of the stars’ standards of quality.
Heart Conditionis available to rent on VOD services in the U.S.
Heart Condition
