Principal photography commenced in Los Angeles, California, on May 12, 1989, with a budget ranging from $9 to $10 million. Executive producer
Robert Shaye, also President of
New Line Cinema, asserted that had a major studio been involved, the cost for
Heart Condition would have soared by "several million more." This was because New Line opted for non-union crews and eschewed high-profile stars to maintain budgetary discipline. However, the film faced setbacks as the local Teamsters Union staged protests during location shoots, causing delays. Writer-director
James D. Parriott said
Denzel Washington insisted on tempering some of the racial elements before accepting the role of "Napoleon Stone." Initially conceived as "a flashy black pimp" by Parriott, the character struggled to attract prominent African-American actors.
Gene Hackman,
Robert Duvall,
Brian Dennehy, and
Dennis Hopper were considered to play "Jack Moony;" the part went to
Bob Hoskins. Key scenes were set at a hamburger stand erected on the southwest corner of
Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Street in Hollywood, California, opposite the
Pantages Theater. Additional sequences were filmed two blocks north, near the intersection of Argyle and
Franklin Avenue. While the exterior of the bowling alley scenes was shot at
Hollywood Star Lanes on
Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, the interiors were filmed at Montrose Bowl in
Montrose, California. Various other locations across Los Angeles, including
Beverly Hills and
Westwood, provided additional settings for filming. The film's soundtrack includes the song "Have a Heart" by
Bonnie Raitt from her album
Nick of Time. ==Reception==