Director: Erik Zonca
Screenplay: Erik Zonca & Roger Bohbot
Cinematographer: Agnes Godard
Isa: Elodie Bouchez
Marie: Natacha Regnier
Chriss: Gregoire Colin
Fredo: Jo Prestia
Charly: Patrick Mercado |
"The Dreamlife of Angels" is far removed from what I, for one, have come to expect from French cinema - luscious historic costume dramas featuring Gerald Depardieu or slick, middle-class Parisian relationship dramas.
"The Dreamlife of Angels", a first feature from director Erik Zonca, is an edgy urban drama set in the northern city of Lille. Central to the film is the growing friendship between two very different young women - one bubbly and outgoing, a free spirit; the other angry, frustrated and reserved. They meet when Isa, who wanders from city to city in search of work, takes a job as a machinist in the factory where Marie works. Isa is in need of accommodation and Marie is looking after a flat for a mother and daughter who are in hospital following a car accident. Thus begins an unlikely friendship.
The two leading performances from Elodie Bouchez (Isa) and Natacha Regnier (Marie), are superb and they deservedly shared the Best Actress Award at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. They are wonderfully supported by Patrick Mercado and Jo Prestia in the roles of two nightclub bouncers who befriend Isa and Marie; and proves that a rough exterior can hide surprising gentleness. Each of these characters is given a depth and complexity that draws the viewer into their world and makes you really care about what happens to them. In contrast we are repelled by Gregoire Colin's Chriss, a wealthy club owner with whom Marie becomes involved. He repels as a smooth-talker who is interested only in gratifying his own desires.
The visual style nicely complements the performances verging on cinema verite, with a lot of hand-held camera and quite "jumpy" editing.
It is great to see such wonderful performances from fresh young actors. "Marie" is the second feature film role for Natacha Regnier, and Elodie Bouchez won the most promising young actress in l995 for her part in "Wild Reeds". If you like films that deal with contemporary life and are very much character-driven then "The Dreamlife of Angels" is one for you.
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