Angel seeks paradise

by RICHARD JONES

AT the dawn of the 20th century, grocer's daughter Angel Deverell (Romola Garai) dreams of success, fame and romance as a published writer.

She also fantasises about owning and living in the country mansion she walks past, almost on a daily basis.

Angel is not just a dreamer, though. She churns out reams of flowery prose - in the style of a 1905 Barbara Cartland - and eventually attracts the attention of London-based publisher Theo (Sam Neill).

Success and fame soon wash over Angel. Her books are an instant hit with Edwardian society Londoners and it's not long before she meets Esme (Michael Fassbender) who's a struggling artist.

Convinced she can make a success of the painter she installs him in a studio at 'Paradise', the gorgeous country mansion of her dreams she's finally been able to buy.

'Paradise' manages to produce its own surprises and challenges as director Francois Ozon recreates the sumptuous era of pre-World War 1 rural and urban Britain in the first half of Angel. One of Ozon's favourite actors, the stunning Charlotte Rampling, plays the part of the older Angel as the writer reaches her 50s and 60s.

2 January 2008

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