Sadly Over-hyped

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

I actually really enjoyed that, script was superb, and the underlying messages were somewhat helpful. It was just the acting from main 2 characters that made it and the cinematography (blacck and white.) I have seen Debbouze in other films and he starts off as the supporting actor here but ends up being the leading role. I have seen that done in other movies where actors are casted as supporting and end up being the leading. That's when you know an actor has done his character justice and won more screen time./ Superb French film, it had a modern noir feel as well. Its a shame looking at the revenue that it did not do so well in the States or the U.K. But the ideas portrayed here are sheer reveloutionary in the sense that they wow and is not same old. The film actually reminds of the one Ethan Hawke did where he catches up with the woman. And on a bad note it reminds me of the Al Pacino one where there in an apartment where there just talking to each other, i found that really boring. We need to see more from Jamel Debbouze; he has a lot to offer and well done Rie.

I love my World cinema and hats off, with all sincerity to Luc Besson for keeping Angel A totally French. He obviously has the talent and clout to be Mr Hollywood, if he so wished.I also love my romantic and fresh French New Wave and most in-between. I particularly like Monsieur Besson when he's doing action, Hollywood style but with that Gallic twist. I must admit, after seeing this, I prefer that side of his creative brilliance. The Fifth Element is one of my all-time favourite sci-fi's, Leon is just brilliant and Nikita is true guilty pleasure personified but with that added 'spice'. The German 'Wings Of Desire' by Wim Wenders, from 1987 is a classic comparison, but where Angel A tries so hard and maybe too hard, Wings Of does it majestically, silently, gracefully. Less is much more, in this case. I still enjoyed Angel A and in particular the disparity between the angel Angela and Andre, the debt-ridden unfortunate she is sent to 'save'. There is also some relevant updating as to what Paris is and maybe has become.Much has been vaunted of the cinematography and one has to admire a director contemplating monochrome these days. Wings Of Desire shares Angel A's black & white but with occasional colour, and whilst some beautifully evocative Parisian scenes in Besson's film are magical, the clinical cleanliness of modern digital black & white saps emotion and feeling (I'm a photographer, myself). A slight graininess and a few foggy mornings to add that missing element of magical fantasy would have done a lot for this film.However, I did find the finale both very moving, but baffling also. It's almost that the ending was rushed or the story ran out of ideas. I'm afraid it didn't make me wonder too much. Explaining further would add a spoiler, but I hope others who have seen Angel A might agree. Awarding only 6/10 seems harsh, certainly to me, but a seven would elevate it to films that are simply better.

Angel A is one of those wonderful films that is truly an experience and original - as we watched we felt ourselves becoming more and ore drawn to this loser and this impossibly tall girl and their story.Both a fairy tale and a gritty look at Paris' underworld Besson mixes together a wonderful romance adds humor and fear and gives us something unique and magical.We were really moved by this: a tale of love that is definitely out of the ordinary. Shot in black and white and beautifully lit and composed, there is an ethereal, yet truly gritty tone to this that really does capture the viewer.The plot is almost impossible to describe without revealing spoilers, except to say André, a total loser, jumps from a bridge and saves Angela, and the adventure begins.Above all, this is film, and a film that you can experience and remember: a masterclass in brilliant captivating storytelling it might well be one of the great romantic movies - just different from beginning to end - and warmly recommended.

Angel-A is the title of a lesser-known film by famous french director Luc Besson (Fifth Element) shot in black and white mostly in Paris. It's also the name of the leading female character : a tall, thin and beautiful blonde with a mysterious past. The story tells of the unlikely relationship between that woman and a small rather ordinary-looking American (looking Moroccan) in deep trouble because of debts (played by Jamel Debouze, the one-armed grocer from Amélie). What strikes viewers first after the black and white is the difference in height between Angel-A and the "hero", as well as their very contrasting looks. We have a pretty "odd couple" after a dramatic first encounter.The film is very well shot with dynamic camera angles. It's not really an action film, nor a comedy, nor a drama. The closest description might be an unconventional buddy/romance dramedy hybrid. I liked the relationship between the two leads although some will get stuck at how very unlikely it seems. To be fair, the initial premise (of which I cannot tell too much) seems a bit like a teen's fantasy come to life. The pace is good and I was never bored even in quieter moments. The cinematography is top-notch sometimes playing with heights or characters looking straight at the camera (or the viewer) for dramatic purposes. The accents in french sometimes made the protagonists hard to understand (especially Angel-A with her Scandinavian accent) and unfortunately it sometimes sabotaged good moments. However, for English viewers (the movie is subtitled not dubbed), this would be a non-issue. The acting is slightly exaggerated and unequal, particularly from Angel-A who ranges from bad to great. Again, this sometimes hurts the suspension of disbelief. I would like to mention a great dramatic scene when both main characters look at a mirror. This was a really special powerful scene. So all in all, I liked the film, found it entertaining, sometimes touching, but it has flaws.Rating : 7 out of 10