I think I just took exception to the way the director implied it was obvious. It wasn't, and only really made sense when he went to hell. I love this film but always thought the fan symbolism was ham-fisted.

I thought the symbolism of the fans i.e. them representing 'a portent of death' was fairly inventive, especially for a 1987 movie; it's not as though figurative motifs in films back then were jaw-dropingly brilliant or exceptionally clever, so I personally thought it worked and was fairly clever. I even think it would work in the present day
An early example of this technique can be seen in Howard Hawks' "Scarface" (1932) where an "X" foreshadowed impending death. Scorsese made a reference/an homage to that motif in "The Departed".
I really liked the use of fans and elevators in "Angel Heart" as symbols of evil forces creeping in. It's both simple and clever. A tremendous film overall.
Do you have any tobacco?

Spike_the_Cactus 3 days ago (Sun Jul 31 2016 15:21:57)
"The director says the fans are a 'portent of death'. Personally it seems a bit clumsy and arbitrary."
I thought the symbolism of the fans i.e. them representing 'a portent of death' was fairly inventive, especially for a 1987 movie; it's not as though figurative motifs in films back then were jaw-dropingly brilliant or exceptionally clever, so I personally thought it worked and was fairly clever. I even think it would work in the present day.

The director says the fans are a 'portent of death'. Personally it seems a bit clumsy and arbitrary.

Thanks for the info about the fans. Was gonna ask.

Which 'bowl' are you referring to? I haven't seen the film in a while.
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

I think this is to merely 'tell the audience' that Johnny's evil is present.
Remember when they showed what Johnny had attempted to do (the ritual, the murder etc.) there is a fan shown blowing fast.
So I think this is an inside joke by Cypher to show Johnny AND the viewer that every time a fan blows, even gently, Johnny's evil is present in some way.
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

Actually, the fans always start running when something evil happens, and when he first meets Harry in the office, several fans are turned on. I guess this to keep the fiery devil cool? It's a pretty silly gag when you think about it, but I like it.