elivbg1 This is not a bad movie; there is some real good and honest acting. There is an interesting human angle to the stories. But to me it was not a great movie. Both female characters were sympathetic in their own way but there was a feeling of gloom and desperation in the movie, which seemed to overpower the positive message of the movie. There is a tendency in European cinema drama to really go for what may be called a realistic sense of despair in the characters or the story lines. And that film is no exception. You can choose to focus on everything that can go wrong in life; and this movie sort of does that in its own way and to at least several of its characters. On the other hand, it also offers some positive turns and twists. There is some fruit for thought, some hope and some sense of joy but there was not enough optimism in the movie to really make it a great movie for me.

paul2001sw-1 Eric Zonca's beautiful film tells the story of two young women living on the margins of society. Although there is a clear (and powerful, tragic) plot, this is above all a character-driven piece. Zonca shows the relationship of his two protagonists in a manner that seems completely convincing and natural; and forces us to subtly revise our first impressions as the film advances, although the relationship itself is not static but evolving throughout the story. Zonca makes full use of Élodie Bouchez's unusual, expressive face; Lille, the backdrop, is grey and unwelcoming throughout. Beneath the surface, Zonca asks about the different ways we all accommodate fantasy in our attempt to survive; and about the harsh loneliness of modern life. It's not exactly cheerful; but the film pulses with humanity in a way that few others do.

hokeybutt THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS (3 outta 5 stars)Quirky French comedy-drama about two young single girls who strike up a friendship and share the task of apartment-sitting for another girl who is laying comatose in a hospital. Isa is the independent but sensitive girl who goes to visit the comatose girl... becoming attached to her while reading her journals. Marie finds her comfort in the company of men... she falls for a handsome but no-good young womanizer, but dumps the fat, loyal musician who loves her. Very good character study in the French tradition of Eric Rohmer and Francois Truffaut. (If you admire the work of those two French auteurs then this movie is for you. If not, then maybe you'll want to pass.)

graham clarke In the telling of a story, movie makers have at their disposal a wealth of tools. There is a school which attempts to portray life at it's most real, forgoing any cinematic effects which would hinder the presentation of what we know as "slice of life". Ken Loach is one such director who has consistently adhered to such a style of movie making.It's not only a valid approach, but one that can be used to great effect, providing the lives on screen are ones we become emotionally involved in. The main problem of "Dreamlife of Angels" is that ultimately the two young woman's somewhat pathetic lives are not of much interest. Their problems are ones we are all aware of and little is presented in the way of helping us understand their predicament. Director Erick Zonca has certainly achieved what he set out to do, eliciting truthful, well rounded performances by both Natacha Regnier and Elodie Bouchez, whose blend of childish innocence and adult wisdom is as effective as it always is. Where he falters is in not making the viewer care enough about their bleak lives, which in turn raises the question of just how worthwhile the entire experience has been.