England, 1905 : Angel Deverell is a gifted young writer who dreams of success, fame and love. But what will happen if all her dreams come true?
8 Femmes director François Ozon creates a gorgeous English language period drama about the spoilt, self-absorbed grocer’s daughter Angel Deverell who writes her way out of obscurity and into the lavish lifestyle she always dreamed of. The film is based on the 1957 Elizabeth Taylor novel, which recounts the rise and fall of the titular penny novelist in early 20th century Britain. Angel is innocent to the ways of the world but this doesn’t stop her from spilling forth torrid romance novels. Wealth, fame and love come her way, but the one thing that continues to evade Angel is wisdom.
Ozon’s film harks to the seriousness of 1930s and 1940s studio pictures with honest moments of pure melodrama. Angel is an audacious work, an extraordinary film and a remarkable achievement from one of Europe’s most interesting directors.
Dir. Francois Ozon – 2007 - UK/France/Belguim - 119 mins - Cert PG - Lionsgate UK
