Angel-A (2005)

A beautiful woman helps an inept scam artist get his game together.

Director:

Luc Besson

Writer:

Luc Besson

Stars:

Rie Rasmussen, Jamel Debbouze, Gilbert Melki

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jamel Debbouze	...	André Moussah
Rie Rasmussen	...	Angel-A
Gilbert Melki	...	Franck
Serge Riaboukine	...	Pedro
Akim Chir	...	Le chef des malfrats
Eric Balliet	...	Garde du corps Franck
Loïc Pora	...	Le malfrat #2
Venus Boone	...	La mère d'Angela
Jérôme Guesdon	...	Le malfrat #3
Michel Bellot	...	Le planton US
Michel Chesneau	...	Le flic commissariat
Olivier Claverie	...	Le sécrétaire US
Solange Milhaud	...	La femme de Saint-Lazare
Laurent Jumeaucourt	...	Le dragueur
Franck-Olivier Bonnet	...	Le dernier client

Storyline

André, a small-time ex-convict, seems to owe money to everyone in Paris, including a crime boss who promises to kill him if he doesn't repay him by midnight. After failing to find protection from the American embassy and the French police, a despairing André scrambles onto a bridge over the Seine, intending to leap to his death. He is surprised to see a tall, beautiful girl clinging to a rail on the same bridge, apparently preparing to end her life as well. She jumps, and he jumps too, suddenly resolving to save her life. After scrambling ashore, she tells him her name is Angel-A. Together, they take a cruise on the Seine, repay André's creditors, visit a Parisian nightspot, and more, as Angel-A helps André. He learns that for this purpose she has fallen out of the sky and into his life. André finds himself falling in love with this mysterious beauty.

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Plot Keywords:

seine | money | olive oil | blonde | liar | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Luc Besson conceived the film as an antidote to the larger scale and pre-production heavy The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc and Arthur and the Invisibles (2006).

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Goofs

When Andre has a meeting with Frank in his office, the teaspoon on table changes position without Andre touching it.

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Quotes

André: My whole life I've been in the shit. No one ever helped me out. Ever.

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Connections

References It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

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Soundtracks

"Crossroads
Performed by Eat

User Reviews

A touching and funny in parts film about learning to love yourself

This film made me shed a tear or two (but then I am an emotional soul!). The comedic aspects, such as the total physical difference between the leads and the strength of the Angela were well placed. The reason for Angela coming into the life of Andre and her true identity could have been very tactlessly handled and cheesy in a Disney kind of way, but Besson made it seem as natural as catching a bus. Subtitles normally irritate me, but I didn't seem to notice them in this film. Paris in black and white is also very evocative and the filming was great in my opinion. I would recommend this film to anyone who fancies a fairly short film that makes you think about whether you appreciate your inner beauty and qualities.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

France

Language:

French Spanish

Release Date:

21 December 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

Angel-A

Filming Locations:

Montmartre, Paris 18, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

EUR15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$29,727, 27 May 2007

Gross USA:

$202,647

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,995,168

Company Credits

Production Co:

EuropaCorp, TF1 Films Production, Apipoulaï

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX DTS-ES

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1