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66 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hidden treasure, August 24, 2006
I enjoy discovering obscure, little known films that turn out to be little gems and hidden teasures of cinematic art. You almost have to find these films by accident to be aware of them. WALKABOUT is one. PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK is another. ANGELA can be added to the list of these pleasant surprises.
I think it would be very difficult to verbally describe what this film is about in such a way to prepare a prospective viewer as to what to expect. I read the reviews and customer comments and must admit the film was completely different than my preconceived notions had led me to believe. The only thing I could say is it is about two little girls and how the depression and mental illness of their mother influence and affect their view of the world in which they live.
Usually I prefer crisp, brightly and clearly filmed movies. This one has a murky, grainy quality to it that I would usually abhor. However I realized after viewing it that this murky graininess contributed significantly to the mood and atmosphere of the film. The music that was chosen also contributed to this atmosphere.
One who is offended by child nudity should probably avoid ANGELA, as the filmmaker obviously had no qualms about showing both girls (10 and 6) in more than a few scenes in sundry stages of nakedness. Nevertheless, these scenes (casual, spontaneous),just as the graininess and music, also contributed to forming the interesting atmosphere of the film. It would have suffered if any of these mood-setting devices had been omitted.
Hats off to Rebecca Miller for ANGELA, a unique and wonderfully made gem that I would highly recommend.
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32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plays out like an urban fantasy., October 6, 2005
I watched this film a few years ago and have never forgotten it. In it, we have two pre-teen sisters who are trying to deal with the mental state of their mother, which is getting worse and worse with each passing day. Their father is an endearing man, although a bit permissive, and does his best to hold the rocky family together.
The film takes a strange turn into what many conclude is our protagonist's (a girl named Angela) own slide into mental illness. I'm not sure that's the case, as I find reason to believe some aspects of her visions might have very well been true, but the point is that she's a tormented soul and finds escapism through a vivid imagination and a self-made quest that frees her mind from what's currently happening. This is a quest for purification from the evil of the world, one that she brings her sister along for the ride, and one that finds a handsome, peaceful Lucifer as their largest obstacle. He simply states to her on numerous times, "I want you, Angela" in a very gentle, yet thouroughly dark way.
Eventually, Angela's quest, with her young sister at her side, takes her across the back roads of her town. Her firm belief in her journey makes her the near victim of a crime as well as the viewer of some very bizarre happenings. In the end, Angela decides to face her fears directly.
The end of this film will leave you in awe.
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Cinematic Masterpiece, May 5, 2004
This movie sent chills down my spine even after the twentieth time of seeing it. Excellent architecture, this movie portrays imagination in a light that leaves you a little unsure of the diagnosis. It left me wondering if the magical things that happened to these girls was real or really in their imaginations. It also allowed me to see a wierd, dark side of childhood again, like what I went through, circumstances that made survival and coping palpable and no longer hidden. I reccommend everyone see this movie at least once. Maybe the things hidden in this movie were unintentional, but there are layers to sort through.
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