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Angel-A
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Directed by Luc Besson.
A desperate man in serious debt attempts to wipe his account clean in the most permanent way imaginable, only to find himself saved from a grim, self-inflicted demise by his selfless attempt to rescue another would-be suicide in director Luc Besson's tenth outing as a director. Andre (Jamel Debbouze) is a debt-ridden twenty-eight year old who has until midnight to pay back 40,000 euros to one of Paris' most ruthless gangsters. When the menacing Franck (Gilbert Melki) has his thugs dangle Andre over the edge of the Eiffel Tower soon thereafter, the debtor who views himself as an American on a technicality seeks the help of the U.S. Embassy to no avail. After failing to convince the local police to lock him up for his own protection, Andre, sensing death is eminent, determines to end his life on his own terms. As Andre steps over the edge of the city's most awe-inspiring bridges and prepares to take that fateful plunge, he suddenly notices a statuesque blonde in a little black dress preparing to meet her maker in a similar fashion. As the woman leaps into the Seine, Andre instinctively jumps in to rescue her. Resting safely on the shore after looking death straight in the eye, the sorrowful pair soon finds their fates inexorably tied. Though Andre initially scolds the ravishing Angela (Rie Rasmussen) for attempting to deprive the world of such stunning beauty, she bitterly assures her one-armed savior that her physical perfection is without question only skin deep. Nevertheless the aggressive blonde betrays her own negative self-image by pledgeing to stick by Andre through thick and thin, and the unlikely duo soon sets out on a mission to solve Andre's formidable list of problems and get his life back in order again. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
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mercurialmercurial Re:Top 5 black and white movies ...
by mercurial in Top 5
loved it.
"Entirely in B&W: 1.) Angel-A 2.) Ed Wood 3.) Clerks 4.) Man Bites Dog 5.) Swoon Runner-Ups: Paper Moon, Pi Partially B&W: 1.) American History X 2.) Sin City 3.) Zentropa, or Europa (depending on your country) 4.) Pleasantville 5.) Memento Runner-Up: Renaissance, The Blair Witch Project " [More]
WindbreakerWindbreaker ANGEL-A
by Windbreaker in Windbreaker!
is neutral about it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"3/5 stars for me. I was riding 4 stars for much of the flick, but Besson lost me during the final act. First, the good. Script is tight and cast is small, so you never feel like the movie is rambling. Shot in black & white, you won't be distracted by colorful backdrops, random cars & people, etc. It's intentionally intimate. The acting was very good, even by the gangsters who are barely on screen. And generally speaking I did like the semi-It's A Wonderful Life Story (one of the few perfect movies ever made). Andre immediately falls for his hot guardian angel and wants to know about her past. She knows as much as he does, as it turns out angels have their memories erased to keep them focused on their tasks. That was probably the most effective part of the movie -- watching Andre come to the realization that at the end of the day, other people's problems may make him feel better or worse, but they won't make him show some initiative and take cha ... " [More]
DemndiaryDemndiary A Little Surprise from A Big Name
by Demndiary in Demndiary Blog
liked it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"The best way to describe Angel-A is describe what it is. It is moving, thoughtful, beautiful, funny, simple and unique. It is driven by the perfomances of Jamel Debbouze's Andre, and Rie Rasmussen's Angela. From the second they meet until the end of the film you can't take your eyes off them. Andre is the kicked puppy who wants to be the "big guy" but doesn't have it in himself. Angela is the mystery woman who eats, buys, fights, and experiences life anew every second. Their chemisty is fun to watch. Besson's photography is magical and surreal. It is like watching a Film Noir done as a romance in black and white. He makes you see "neon" colors in the b/w and presents a Paris that is beautiful and wonderous at its most mundane. Angela and Andre present a simple couple. They bicker in a way that can be reminiscent of I LOVE LUCY or Hepburn/Tracy. They take potshots and do wound each other, but at the end it is all said with love. Angela is a Besson woman. In many ... " [More]
 



Spout's Scavenger Hunt

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unemployedwaif
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mercurial
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