Product Details

• Actors: Rie Rasmussen, Jamel Debbouze, Gilbert Melki, Serge Riaboukine, Akim Chir
• Directors: Luc Besson
• Writers: Luc Besson
• Producers: Luc Besson, Mehdi Sayah
• Format: AC-3, Black & White, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Dubbed: English
• Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
  PLEASE NOTE: Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click .
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: November 20, 2007
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000VNMMPM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,643 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Angel-A" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's a Wonderful Life meets Wings of Desire in French director Luc Besson's Angel-A, a surprisingly charming fable of low-life redemption. The low-life in question is André (Jamel Debbouze, from Amelie), a mousy, disheveled Parisian scam artist who's deeply in debt to various underworld thugs. Suicide seems like the best available option, but just as he's about to leap into the Seine, he encounters Angela (Danish model/actress/filmmaker Rie Rasmussen), a leggy blonde beauty who's going to change André's life in ways he never expected. Filmed in gorgeous black and white in a shimmering Paris that seems almost completely depopulated (most of the filming took place in early-morning sunlight), Angel-A is a rough-edged yet ultimately sweet-natured tale of two chatty characters who find new hope through mutual devotion, and that's likely to disappoint any Besson fans who are expecting another high-octane crime thriller like Leon--The Professional. And yet, Besson's tenth film has a light, feathery quality that works in its favor, even when the characters lack interest and their scenes together grow slightly redundant. Debbouze is perfectly cast as a likable loser who deserves a break, and Rasmussen (who memorably appeared in Brian De Palma's Femme Fatale, wearing nothing but lavish diamonds and a killer smile) is, to say the least, angelically seductive. How well you respond to this romantic fantasy will depend on how attracted you are to these characters, but if you give Angel-A a chance, you might find it to be a worthy companion to Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, two other appealing films about love, set in, respectively, Vienna and Paris. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

From the director of The Professional and The Fifth Element comes a stunning, sexy tribute to the healing power of love. When André, a down-on-his-luck gambler, dives into the icy Seine to end it all, he winds up instead rescuing Angela, a gorgeous, mysterious blonde. Filled with renewed passion for life, they set out to settle André's scores as they wander the City of Lights. Along the way, André finds himself, but he still has some questions about his leggy, lovely companion -can she really be as heavenly as she seems? Filled with wit, warmth and eye-popping visuals, Angel-A shows just how high you can soar when passion takes flight.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Angel-A - Well Made Art Film by Besson January 28, 2008

By Mark #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Angel-A is a black and white movie based on a classic tale. The movie seems surprisingly "Hollywood" in its idealized theme, especially when you consider it's a French movie. Lovers of French film know how popular the themes of darkness and realism are. Still, Besson's skills as a master film maker shine through. The cinematography is fantastic. When you add in great acting, it's easier to swallow the pill of a very allegorical story.

Acting and Direction

The acting really is the hallmark of this movie. Jamel Debbouze was amazing as Andre, the small time hustler with big dreams. He delivers some very difficult scenes with realism and power.

Rie Rasmussen is also great as Angela. In the one DVD special feature, she talks about French not being her native tongue, which makes her dialogue all the more impressive. The director plays her against Andre using the contrasts of her height against his shortness, her beauty against his average looks and shabby clothes.

The supporting cast is also good, no doubt due to Besson's fine direction.

The Story and the Script

This story is hard to swallow. Even though Andre isn't really American, they manage to throw in some anti-American insults too. The script is clean, yet at times forced. Perhaps I am being too cynical. Still, the filmmaker, cast and crew make it work. Even a basic outline almost gives away the very predictable story line, so I won't go there. See it for yourself and be the judge.

Cinematography

For those who love fine art photography or just great film in general, this DVD is a gem. There are so many beautiful shots of Paris. It's done very expertly in black and white.... One of the things that comes across in the "making of" feature is how tightly Besson works with his crew of many years.

It also made me wonder, how big was the budget for this film? How much is high-end camera equipment these days? It's just amazing they could produce such a visually amazing movie on an "independent film" budget. If it's true it bodes well for the future.

DVD Extras

While there is only the one main "making of" feature, it is loaded with actual production info. Some of it amounts to a worship feature about Besson. No doubt, he's earned it. Still the actors talk about some elements of their preparation and process that are definitely educational and worth seeing. It's a nice extra, but how I greedily wish there was more!

Conclusion

Overall, this is an uplifting and entertaining movie, especially if you can suspend disbelief for 2 hours. The acting, cinematography, and film-making abilities of Besson make this a DVD worth owning for art-film lovers.

Enjoy!!! Read more ›

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars special September 14, 2008

By kaioatey

Format:DVD

This a profound film - simple and at times painfully sad. Addresses the humanity's predicament: everyone surreptitiously thinks themselves as great while human minds are in fact petty, opportunistic, dis-empowered gambling machines. Andre is the Everyman.

Besson makes a case for truth, love - and breathing - as instruments of divine providence. Truth and love can evoke passion for the divine, for life itself.

A cool movie.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Send Me An Angel November 30, 2009

By Craobh Rua

Format:DVD

Directed by Luc Besson, Angel-A was first released in 2005. It's a French romcom (not quite what most would expect from Besson) and stars Jamel Debbouze and Rie Rasmussen in the two lead roles.

André is 28 years old and badly down on his luck. Although his working practices have been a little shady in the past, he's trying to make an honest fist of things and - following a recent trip abroad - is sure that his big break is just around the corner. However, given that he owes an absolute fortune to nearly every crook, villain and gangster in Paris, he mightn't live to see the good times. Having sought help and protection from both the police - who wouldn't lock him up for a few days - and the US Embassy - although of North African descent, he holds a green card - he's left alone and desperate. Eventually, he gives up and decides to throw himself off a bridge and into the Seine...and, just as he's about to jump, he notices Angela to his left. In fairness, Angela is very distracting : she's a tall, very leggy and exceptionally beautiful blonde...and the dress she's wearing only just keeps everything covered. Although he pleads with her not to jump, she won't listen...and so, rather than ending his own life, André finds himself jumping in and saving Angela's. The pair get talking on the banks of the river and, by way of thanks, Angela dedicates herself to helping André. Miraculously, with Angela on his side, things start looking up very, very quickly...

It is subtitled (which may put some people off) and it mightn't appeal to the very innocent, but I loved it. There is a real `feel-good' element to the movie and there is a pretty obvious comparison to "It's a Wonderful Life".... Some of the better known locations of Paris are used as the story's backdrop - the Seine and its bridges, the bateaux mouche and the Eiffel Tower - and it's very stylishly shot in black and white. A film I'd have no hesitation in recommending. Read more ›

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind Blowing Movie February 18, 2008

By Black Orchid

Format:Amazon Instant Video

Beautiful movie, one of my top favorites to see! This had me on an emotional rollercoaster, one minute I'm laughing, the next I'm crying. The main characters played such beautiful strong roles, and played them very excellent! I would highly recommend this movie because it's something that would touch upon you in all kinds of ways. :)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Let this perfect film take you under its beautiful wing. April 6, 2008

By Roderic

Format:DVD

I used the word sparingly, but in short this film is flawless. The casting, the script, the lighting, the editing, the special effects, the music, the combination of drama and comedy, etc. are seamless and pure within this flawless film, like a perfectly cut diamond. Luc Besson is undoubtedly one of the greatest filmakers, having created such amazing films such as The Fifth Element, The Messenger, and lately having made forays into production of impressive but hollow martial arts action films. To say he has redeemed himself with this film would be an understatement. In the tradition of Wim Wenders Wings of Desire and Michael with Travolta, he has created a film which contains amazing visual beauty, hilarious humor and intense drama. A couple of scenes in this film actually passed that brain barrier or that filter in my mind that has become so jaded and unimpressed in a way I cannot remember any film in memory to do, and had me entranced. This film is magic, with a wonderous chemistry, a sparkling ambiance, a simultaneously heavy and light heart, intensely romantic and poignant with an unlikely heroic leading man and a stunningly beautiful leading woman. Let this film become a permanent part of your pysche, for it is a life affirming spark of genius and art at its best.