Angel (2007 film)

Angel is a 2007 romantic drama film directed by François Ozon. It is based on the 1957 novel of the same name by Elizabeth Taylor. The film stars Romola Garai, Sam Neill, Michael Fassbender, and Charlotte Rampling.

The story revolves around Angel Deverell, a young, aspiring writer in early 20th-century England. Angel is ambitious, self-absorbed, and largely disconnected from reality. She writes romantic novels that are wildly successful, catapulting her into fame and fortune. She purchases a grand estate, "Paradise," and becomes increasingly detached from the real world, living in a fantasy of her own creation.

Angel's personal life is complicated. She falls in love with Esme, a bohemian painter, who struggles to reciprocate her intense feelings. Her relationship with her publisher, Theo, is fraught with professional and personal complexities. As Angel's world becomes increasingly opulent and detached, her novels begin to lose their appeal, and she faces a slow decline in popularity.

The film explores themes of ambition, delusion, the nature of love and creativity, and the price of fame. It is known for its lush visuals, period costumes, and Romola Garai's performance as the titular character. Though critically divided, Angel garnered attention for its melodramatic style and exploration of its themes.