Review - Angel-A (2005 - Dir. Luc Besson)

At first sight Angel-A looks like it may have a great deal of gritty potential, however there is little or no grit on show in this fantasy based, romantic drama. I'm not sure I should have liked it as much as I did, but Angel-A is a light hearted, fun packed fairy tale that held my attention to such an extent that I watched it in a single sitting, which is unusual to say the least for me.

The plot is simple, and basically you know what will happen about twenty minutes into procedings. But there's an innocent charm about the film that makes you think it could have been made in the 1950s and shown on a Sunday afternoon throughout the 1970s between episodes of Randall and Hopkirk and Highway to Heaven. Don't expect a rollercoaster ride, this is a much gentler experience.


The majority of the acting is shared by the excellent Jamel Debbouze and Rie Rasmussen who make the most of the opportunity and clearly enjoy the limelight. Debbouze is especially impressive showing his vulnerability, passion and positivity at various stages of the film. The main supporting actor is the city of Paris and Besson uses a range of shots and angles to present Paris as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with the lack of colour adding a richness and atmosphere to the cinematography. The soundtrack is also worth a listen.

This is essentially a cinematic 'chillout', so if you're in the mood for something slower paced and relaxing, sit back and enjoy one of the few fantasy/romance dramas that actually delivers. Having said that I don't think I've seen any other fantasy/romance dramas.
7/10
Doccortex





If you like this you could also try:
Paris, Je T'Aime, Run Lola Run, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.