Luc Besson is a master of two things -- boldly unique visuals and oddball romantic pairings.  Both are abundant in his latest film, a masterpiece called "Angel-A".  There are moments of aesthetic perfection in this film that took my breath away.  I caught myself beaming from ear to ear on more than one occasion as I marvelled at some of Besson's cinematic composition.  "Angel-A" is inventive and beautiful and poetic.

Before I describe the film, let me say that it all leads to, and away from, one quite devastating scene.  It is a scene, played out by the two leads, staring directly into a mirror and having a conversation with each other.  The camera pans behind the glass, allowing us as viewers to become the mirror.  I became so captivated by the emotions of that moment because I saw pieces of myself in Jamel Debbouze's character.  For an instant, I entirely mirrored his feelings.  After having seen over 3000 films in my life, it ranks as one of my favorite cinematic moments to date.

Jamel Debbouze plays André, a down on his luck Frenchman who is in grave financial difficulties with the wrong crowd.  He is trapped in Paris because he has lost all of his identification, including the American green card that could get him back to his New York City home.  The US embassy is not too keen to help him as he has a recent conviction for fraud on his record.

When all is seemingly lost and time has run out on his debts, André steps over the barrier to Le pont Alexandre III in order to throw himself into the Seine.  Moments away from the desperate act, he peers to his left, only to see a statuesque blonde, twenty feet away, about to do the same thing.

Rie Rasmussen plays “Angel-A” (pronounced like Angela with a French accent), a 6-foot beauty with the body of a supermodel and the face of an angel.  Weeping, she launches herself into the famous river – Jamel instantly follows in an attempt to rescue her.  He drags her ashore.

André questions her desire to commit suicide.  After all, how can someone so beautiful want to do such a drastic thing?  Surely there most be something to live for?  Angel-A returns the questions, which only serves to irritate him.  He is just a short, average looking man, with enormous money problems.  He loves no one and no one loves him.  What more does he have to live for?  She offers herself as a devoted friend, volunteering her life to him.  What he says goes. Needless to say, André is sceptical.

What follows is a black and white tour of the most beautiful city in the world today.  Luc Besson's incredible framing and camera work follows these two people as they dart in and around some of the most famous landmarks in Europe.  There is nothing quite like Paris in black and white.  Each and every frame of this film would hang proudly in any art gallery.  It is one of the most aesthetically gorgeous films I've ever seen.

What makes it even more resplendent to behold is the presence of Rie Rasmussen.  One would think that a supermodel with only one acting credit under her belt (as the diamond-clad thief in De Palma's "Femme Fatale") would not be a stand-out performer.  One would be wrong.

Rasmussen is a renaissance woman if there ever was one.  I've been a big fan ever since her infamous catwalk wink at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2001.  She has since directed two magnificent & acclaimed short films, "Il Vestito" & "Thinning the Herd".  Those efforts will soon lead to a major directorial production.  She has published a book of her photography entitled Grafisk.  Her canvas artwork is extraordinary.  And, based on this performance, her acting skills extend far beyond making out with Rebecca Romijn.

See More of Rie Rasmussen at These Two Sites...
Her Official Website
Rie Rasmussen Photo Site

Jamel Debbouze and Rie Rasmussen are perfectly cast as the hapless loser and the angelic guide.  Both of them create three dimensional characters that are full of surprises.  The two of them generate laughs and thrills and tears.  It is a master-class in acting.  I loved watching them, in what is essentially a two-character play, react off each other for the entire ninety-minute running length.  There is passion.  There is anger.  There is silliness.  There is tenderness.  There is empathy.  Debbouze and Rasmussen deliver on all levels.

"Angel-A" is a truly lovely film about finding love... for another as well as for oneself.  It is superbly shot by the visual genius, Luc Besson... who finally matches that visual mastery with a story that earns such an effort.  The lead actors will not win Oscars because The Academy never rewards such small foreign films -- but it should make an exception in this case.  This film is endlessly entertaining, hopelessly romantic and devilishly witty.  It is one of my favorite films in recent years and I urge you to go out of your way to find it.