Romola Garai plays Angel Deverell, a young over-imaginative writer who writes erotic novels though she sorely lacks the knowledge of sex and childbirth.

Garai’s affinity with roles that involve aspiring, then subsequently successful writers who have a knack for causing trouble with their behavior is amusing to say the least. Her recent role as Briony Tallis in Atonementas a writer who tore apart her sister from her lover was much lauded.

From the pen of the late Elizabeth Taylor , one of the most celebrated British authors in the 20th century, is born Angel Deverell, an insolent young girl who dreams of becoming a romance novelist in London in 1905.

She makes up for her lack of worldly knowledge by her overactive imagination and is soon propelled into the world of fame and fortune after her talent for words was discovered by a publisher (Sam Neill ).

Angel soon meets Nora Howe-Nevinson (Lucy Russell ) and Esme (Michael Fassbender ) a pair of siblings who are always at loggerheads. Nora was mesmerised by Angel’s work, Angel was captivated by Esme’s looks. Angel started to promote his art works, even though they were not appreciated by anyone but her, putting Esme through much embarrassment.

Angel’s overactive imagination naturally pushed her to pursue a perfect life living in a little castle of her own with her cats and peacocks. She imposed her ideals on others to achieve her perfect little world.

In a show with rather serious characters, Angel’s cranky disposition, stood out like a thorn among roses. She can be infuriating, irritating and amusing all at once.

Her eccentricities such as her indignation then sudden nonchalance when she found out Nora switched her dog, lack of refinement and self-centeredness created scenes with subtle humour in the first leg of the movie. She would read aloud while writing explicit scenes in great detail and revel in the excitement of it all, even though she still has her chastity intact.

Don’t be fooled by this movie’s poster. Angelis nothing like the sweet romance of 2 utterly-perfect-for-each-other characters as it seems to imply but a story much more intriguing.

The movie is full of surprises and will delight you with the unique characters and that is what makes it so enchanting. Instead of a story that’s filled with jealousy like many other love stories, Angel’s plot is refreshing. For instance,you’d find out that Nora fell in love with Angel despite her shortcomings.

What left UrbanWire baffled was the improper use of effects in the movie. Scenes of traveling were shot in the studio then superimposed on moving film. While we understand that the movie was set in 1905, this doesn’t explain the sloppy use of today’s technology such that it actually resembles film of that century.

If you really want to enjoy this show, try to get a friend who can understand the little hints in the show-like Nora’s love for Angel. This show can be depressing and amusing all the same time.

UrbanWiregives Angel 3.5 out of 5 stars

Movie Details

Opens: 15 May 2008

Movie Rating: M18 (Sexual scenes)

Running Time: 114 mins

Language: English

Director: Francois Ozon

Cast: Romola Garai, Sam Neill, Michael Fassbender