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, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• 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 here.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• DVD Release Date: November 20, 2007
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000VNMMPM
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,087 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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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 in the City of Lights. --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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 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 "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)

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!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars special, September 14, 2008

By	kaioatey (Awatovi, AZ) - See all my reviews

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 Mind Blowing Movie, February 18, 2008

By	Black Orchid (at home) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angel-A (Video On Demand)

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. :)