The film I am going to reccommend today is one I think you may either adore as much as I did, or not enjoy at all. Angel is the first english language film by French director François Ozon. It is based on the book by Elizabeth Taylor about a young girl in the Edwardian era who goes on to become a popular writer. The movie encompasses almost the entire life of Angel Deverell, her rise and fall and the unusual relationships she has along the way. All the time it leaves the viewer a little bit outside of Angel’s world, seeing her as the other characters might, rather than as she sees herself, which is an intriguing contrast in itself.
I have not read the book yet, but I would definitely like to get a copy to compare the two.
What is very interesting about this film, and you will either love or hate, is Angel’s character. She is fiercely defiant, arrogant, demanding, romantic, imaginative, gifted and entirely in love with herself and the little world she has created. Romola Garai’s performance was enchanting, and her peculiar beauty suited the character perfectly. I found Angel fascinating, because unlike other romantic, highly imaginative heroines (Anne Shirley, Sara Crewe etc.) she is not exactly easy to like or sympathise with.
The story takes you from Angel’s humble beginnings as the daughter of a grocery store owner, to her efforts to become published, her wild success and her romance with a debauched painter and close friendship with his sister. Towards the end of the film the war begins and we see how this brings change to Angel’s very doorstep, even though she tries to hide from it.
Visually the film is stunning. The costumes, especially Angel’s dresses, are opulent to the point of being a little bit tacky (but this is in keeping with her character) and her estate, Paradise House, is almost a palace in itself. For lovers of period costume and extravagant decor its definitely eye candy.
This movie actually won me over as it progressed, for a story about such an eccentric person it felt very real. There were no great moral lessons to be learned, and none of the characters really got what they ‘deserved.’ Nonetheless it is the tale of a dreamer who managed to make her dreams reality, and seemed to live her whole life inside these dreams, even when the world doesn’t co-operate, and I think thats what makes this film so uniquely beautiful.
Other topics:
wowzers wow wow wow
i’ll be renting that
xox
Never heard of ths one. It sounds like a really unique movie!
Thank you for the review ^^
Now I can’t wait to see the movie myself!
Coucou,
She wears beautiful dresses !
Bisous,
ps : with your banner in my blog, many friends of mine have discover your lovely world and are interested in Princess Life^-^
I watched this movie last night! Amazing story really, Thank you for recommending this one.
Looks interesting. I’ll put it on Netflix. <3
I can’t wait to watch this movie!!!
This movie sounds fascinating, especially because you mentioned the main character sounds like she has a lot of depth and we see her from many different points of view!
Also, I have been in love Romola Garai since Nicholas Nickelby (BBC Drama)
I just finished it! Wowowow!! I really loved it- thank you!
I’m so glad you loved it as much as I did Tori!