Angel-A (2005)

I didn't know a thing about this movie before going in except it's streamable on Netflix and written and directed by Luc Besson. The French-language Angel-A follows the considerable trials and tribulations of André (Jamel Debbouze), an American citizen with Morrocan origins currently living in Paris. His debts are astronomical and one of his big lenders is planning to collect tonight in a violent fashion. With no way to get the money in time, André decides to throw himself off a bridge to drown in the river below. As he's about to jump, a tall woman with platinum blonde hair beats him to it. He instinctively jumps in and saves her, though frustrated she ruined his plans.

As a thank you for the life-saving, the woman (Rie Rasmussen), whose name is Angela, promises to do his bidding for the day. They engage in various money-making schemes and work to lessen André's debts and the pressures of maybe being on the verge of assassination. She is a wacky and sexy and seems intent on boosting his confidence and self-worth. Eventually Angela admits what was fairly clear from the start: she's totally an angel, and André is her mission. The only problem is, she's losing the objectivity and distance necessary to leave him and return to heaven.

Angel-A is funny and engaging. Its leads are both excellent and play off of each other really well. Rasmussen is vibrant and energetic, completely embodying the role, and Debbouze is adorable and likable despite his character's cluelessness. I had only ever seen him with a small part in Amelie before and it was cool to see him star in something. The dialogue is sharp, though I wish I'd been able to understand the French. I dug the story- it's not especially inventive to have an angel come to earth and help out some troubled dude, but I think it was done in a cool way. It's fun and romantic, and manages to be dramatic without taking itself too seriously.

The film is shot in beautiful and crisp black and white, with several cute visual nods to Angela's profession. There were some great settings, too, including a crazy neon-lit bar and the striking bridge where they meet (it's probably famous but I know very little about Paris). Overall Angel-A is an artistically-minded comedy with really great performances. It's a little sappy and predictable, and the chronology is very confusing (it seems several days pass but no one sleeps?), but still enjoyable and interesting.

4/5