terrible... so disappointed.

ridiculous rating

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

'La Vie Rêvée Des Anges' set in Lille, France, is in essence a film depicting the beginning and ending of a friendship. We are first introduced to one of the two main characters as a homeless, young girl who has come to Lille, looking for a friend. Hearing that the friend has left Lille, she has no choice but to survive on the street. She is fortunate to find a job at a sewing factory, where she meets Marie (the second main character). This friendship, albeit rather reluctant at first on the part of Marie is the basis for the storyline of the film. As the film progresses we see that it is not Marie who is the stronger person, and the sensible decision maker, but in fact it is Isa, the girl who goes from job to job with a very care-free attitude to life. Isa proves to be realistic, perspicacious and anxious to open Marie's eyes to her self-destruction and in a way opens the audience's eyes. Marie's poor decision of not being able to refuse the man to whom she is attracted, eventually leads to a calamitous relationship where Chriss uses her and this in turn leads to the outcome of the film and the breaking of the friendship between Isa and Marie.The director purposefully uses hand-held cameras, natural lighting, real and natural sets and few sound effects and music (the only music track is in the last couple of minutes) to create the film's intended atmosphere. In a way this dogma-style film-making could be a way to emphasise the freedom in the lives of the two main characters. Together, Isa and Marie enjoy not conforming to the everyday roles of society. The natural way by which the characters live their lives is conveyed to the audience through the use of natural techniques in the filming itself. And perhaps the only music track to appear in the film, is a way of creating a dream- like (giving the film its title) atmosphere at the end of the film, in contrary to the natural techniques of filming which have been up to this point. The death of Marie could possible be a way of showing us the strength in Isa, who is able to carry on her life and find another job, just as before, or in turn it could just be that there are only two choices in their lives – to conform (like Isa in the end) or not to conform to society (essentially like Marie). Having said that, perhaps another intention of using this natural-like film technique is so that the director does not judge the lives of the two characters, but instead leaves it up to the audience to be the judge.From the aggressive and homicidal nature of Marie's character, to the calm and untroubled life of Isa, these contrasts placed together in a film have a great chance of leaving an impact on the viewer, and all in all make it an good and engaging film to watch.

Yes, the acting is superb, both the leads: the footloose, free-spirit Isa and the angry and erratic Marie. Also the supporting cast: the fat-boy bouncer and the rich-boy cad.What's available to young women cast out of the nest? How does one survive the winters as a homeless person in the northern France? Mind-numbing factory work is available. But where to live, and how to find the community that homo sapiens need to be mentally healthy? We learn what it takes to survive. Isa has great resources; she's an extrovert and has a genuine concern for others. She finds community with a most unlikely person. Poor Marie, wanly beautiful, is withdrawn and suspicious; one must intrude forcibly to get beyond her defenses. And yet she's careless. So faced with the same chances, one woman finds psychic sustenance while the other stumbles into despair.

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.)

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.