The Dreamlife of Angels
Two drifting young women in Lille struggle to preserve their friendship as poverty, caretaking, and an idealized romance pull them toward different futures.
Overview
Two young women navigate friendship and heartbreak amidst life's uncertainties in a poignant tale of resilience.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- intimate
- naturalistic
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an intelligent, absorbing character study distinguished by excellent lead performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Isa and Marie navigate precarious housing, low-paid work, and unstable relationships in an observational Lille setting.
Isa's concern for Marie conflicts with Marie's idealization of Chriss, causing their friendship to deteriorate.
Marie comes to imagine the wealthy Chriss as her life's love despite warning signs and unequal circumstances.
Isa is penniless, unskilled, transient, and hopes to leave Lille for a warmer life in the south.
Films like The Dreamlife of Angels, and why
Water Lilies
naturalistic female friendship, economic precarity, and emotionally raw coming-of-age drama
La Cérémonie
French social realism, intimate female relationships, and drifting young protagonists
Rosetta
working-class alienation, restless youth, and deeply observed character study
Girlhood
melancholic friendship drama centered on outsiders and unstable hopes
Movie Details
- Director
- Erick Zonca
- Release Date
- 1998-10-16
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (118)
Cast
- Élodie Bouchez
- Natacha Régnier
- Grégoire Colin
- Patrick Mercado
- Jo Prestia
- Francine Massenhave
- Zivko Niklevski
- Murielle Colvez
- Lyazid Ouelhadj
- Frédérique Hazard
Common questions
- What is The Dreamlife of Angels about?
- Two drifting young women in Lille struggle to preserve their friendship as poverty, caretaking, and an idealized romance pull them toward different futures.
- What is The Dreamlife of Angels like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Dreamlife of Angels as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Dreamlife of Angels violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Dreamlife of Angels.
- What did critics think of The Dreamlife of Angels?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an intelligent, absorbing character study distinguished by excellent lead performances.
- Which films are like The Dreamlife of Angels?
- Films with a similar feel include Water Lilies, La Cérémonie, Rosetta, and Girlhood.
- How long is The Dreamlife of Angels?
- The Dreamlife of Angels runs 113 minutes.
