Review of Angel-A (2005) by Isabelle W — 26 Nov 2009

Luc Besson reprises his odd couple boy/girl pairings (Leon, The Fifth Element) in this stylish Parisian fantasy romance. Debbouze is Andre, a down on his luck con man who isn't a particularly big fan of himself who suddenly finds a statuesque, supermodel-legged blonde (Rasmussen) in his life after they both jump from a Paris bridge in despair.

Besson has quite a lot of fun with this scenario, playing with Andre's assumptions and insecurities about the rise in status simply having a gorgeous woman on his arm (later reversed in amusing flashbacks) whilst the understanding that the girl is not quite of this world begins to dawn on the little man, as she helps him to solve not only his financial problems but to break down some personal barriers too.

Unfortunately the final third of the film descends into generic territory as Besson continues the love story where most directors would've wrapped things up and which the actors don't have enough chemistry to pull off - but until then it's an interesting, even inspirational little metaphysical and metaphorical tale.