The Real Life of Angel Deverell directed by François Ozon (UK, 2007)
"Say you like me or the pussy cats die!"
This perfectly appalling movie is based on the 1957 novel, Angel, by Elizabeth Taylor whose unlovable protagonist was inspired by Marie Corelli, Queen Victoria’s favourite writer.
Angel specialises in slushy romantic fiction and her vivid imagination makes up for her ignorance.
She writes with authority about Italy without ever having been and won’t change a word of her novels even when they contain blatant errors like a description of opening a bottle of champagne with a corkscrew.
Her refusal to compromise for her ‘art’ makes her insufferable. You might admire her drive and single-minded determination to rise above humble beginnings but she is such a hideous personality that you just end up loathing her. Continue reading
