Angel-A

Angel-A is an odd love story brought to us by French director (and one of my personal favorites) Luc Besson, director of The Fifth Element and The Professional. It centers on Andre (Jamel Debbouze), a down-on-his-luck con man who just so happens to owe several people an awful lot of money. So much so that on the fateful day that we join him, he is having the snot beaten out of him - not once, but twice - with demands of payment by midnight... or his death will come shortly thereafter. In desperation, he finds himself on a bridge, about to throw himself into the dark abyss, until he notices that someone else is sharing that same bridge and suicidal idea. A beautiful leggy blonde, crying and woeful, throws herself into the drink and Andre, not thinking of his own safety, rescues her. The lovely creature (Rie Rasmussen), who stands at least a foot taller than Andre, tells him her name is Angela and she will stay with him and do whatever he wants, because he saved her life. Thus begins a very unlikely pairing that turns Andre's life completely around.

This complicated girl sets out to help Andre make things right in his life. She helps him confront one of the thugs he owes money to and also makes quite a few dollars so he can pay a different one back. Angela has strange ways, beguiling numerous men in clubs and prostituting herself to help Andre get out of debt. At least, that's how it appears to Andre. But nothing is quite as it seems.

We soon learn that Angela is actually an angel sent on a mission to help Andre get it together, to help him find self-worth. Through their adventures, the two inevitably fall in love and Andre learns to love Angela, as well as himself.

While the entire movie is in French with English subtitles, I didn't find it hard to follow. The screenplay is well written and witty, but the true scene-stealer is the imagery. Filmed completely in black and white against a backdrop of the glittering city of Paris, tall, blonde and striking Angela stands in stark contrast to short, scruffy and dark Andre. With a good story, beautiful images and a few twists and turns, Angel-A is worth your time if you enjoy an unusual story, although the subtitles may throw a few folks off. If you are a fan of Luc Besson, then you'll definitely want to check Angel-A out.

Angel-A

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