Angel

England, the early 20th century. Angel Deverell is grocer’s daughter who dreams of a literary career. Her first book – a romantic novel – achieves great success, to everyone’s surprise but her own. She invests her earnings in real estate and in a personal servant, with the aspiration of turning the maid’s brother into her lover. When WWI breaks out, it may mean the end of her dizzying rise… François Ozon’s period film is unlike anything else we’ve seen in the genre. There is no grace and glory, no romantic nostalgia for the past. As usual, Ozon moves between sentiment and distance, while Romola Garai’s performance in the lead role inspires empathy, despite her weaknesses.