[center] [left]Billy Connolly. Famous for being a loud mouthed, foul mouthed individual that makes a lot of people laugh worldwide. He takes the piss outta everything. Mostly himself and foreigners. So when I heard he landed a SERIOUS role in a movie, I was surprised. Alex (Alex D.Linz) is a young boy, growing up in
a hostile environment. He secretly wants to become an angel. Gabriel (Billy Connolly) is his mentor. When Alex's dad is diagnosed with lung cancer, he begins to doubt that becoming an angel will save his dad. This film is deep. Incredibly deep. Because of this, it is very hard to watch, not because its done badly, but because its done so well. The subjects it raises are a little taboo in the society of film making, but is done tastefully and in fact gives the film a positive outlook in the end. Having said all of this, Connolly isn't without his usual dodgy humour. Towards the beginning of the film, he tries to interview Alex in a changing room, while asking the question, "Were you ever sexually abused as a child?" Some might find that distasteful, but I just find it Ironic. My only critisism is that it doesn't seem totally original. Billy Elliot, the writer's other film is pretty much like this, but with Ballet instead of Angels. Considering that films popularity, surely that message has come across already. So while it is very deep and indeed very good, I do think a bit of originality in terms of style is needed badly. To sum up: + Tasteful, well acted, and positive towards the end. - A bit "Billy Elliot-esque" [/left] [/center]
January 18, 2006
