Angel (15)

Film image

The ViewLeeds Review

StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Review byMatthew Turner31/10/2007

Three out of Five stars
Running time: 119 mins

Enjoyable, impressively directed melodrama that stays just the right side of kitsch and features a superb performance by Romola Garai.

What's it all about?
Set in Edwardian England and based on the novel by Elizabeth Taylor (inspired, in turn, by the life of author Marie Corelli), Angel stars Romola Garai as precocious, would-be novelist Angel Deverell, whose ignorance of the ways of the world doesn't prevent her from penning a luridly explicit romance novel. Publisher Theo Gilbright (Sam Neill) sees Angel's potential and she soon becomes the Barbara Cartland of her day, thanks to her best-selling Lady Irania series.

Angel's new-found fortune allows her to buy the house of her dreams and she moves into Paradise House, accompanied by her adoring secretary, Nora (Lucy Russell). Angel subsequently marries Nora's brother, Esme (Michael Fassbender) but their marriage runs into difficulties and when the First World War breaks out, Esme enlists against Angel's will.

The Good
Director Francois Ozon shoots in the style of a 1950s Hollywood melodrama, complete with unconvincing back projection work, overblown dialogue and a lush score courtesy of Philippe Rombi. However, Ozon is careful to remain just the right side of kitsch and the story never descends into outright parody.

Romola Garai is brilliantly cast as Angel and she really throws herself into the role. There's also strong support from Fassbender (who looks a little like Ewan McGregor) and Lucy Russell, while Ozon regular Charlotte Rampling adds texture with a finely judged cameo as Gilbright's wife.

The Bad
The film's biggest problem is that Angel is such a thoroughly obnoxious character that it's impossible to engage with her on an emotional level. She's brattish, arrogant, selfish and infuriating and the script steadfastly refuses to offer her any shot at redemption, which is rather unsatisfying for the audience.

Worth seeing?
That said, Ozon's films are always worth watching and Angel is no exception, thanks to great direction and a committed performance from Garai.

Film Trailer

Angel (15)
Angel has been reviewed by 1 users
image
01 Focus (15)

Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro

image
02 Selma (12A)

David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth

image
03 Far from the Madding Crowd (tbc)

Carey Mulligan, Tom Sturridge, Matthias Schoenaert...

image
04 Chappie (tbc)

Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Sharlto Copley

image
05 A Most Violent Year (15)

Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo

Content updated: 29/10/2015 03:15

Latest Film Reviews

Film Blog

Urban Pundit

Keep up to date with everything in film and cinema at Urban Pundit, the exciting new blog.

Film of the Week

The Conjuring (15)

Hugely enjoyable, genuinely scary horror flick that provides a welcome throwback to classic 1970s chillers, thanks to impeccable production design, a superb script, powerfully atmospheric direction, intense set-pieces and terrific performances.

Latest Close Up

Noah Baumbach Interview

The Frances Ha director discusses co-writing the script with Greta Gerwig, shooting against the backdrop of New York and the real lives of the city’s people, Greta Gerwig’s performance, the music in the film and the picture's visual style.