The Face of an Angel Review

by Helen Earnshaw | 27 March 2015

Starring: Daniel Bruhl, Kate Beckinsale, Cara Delevingne

The Face of an Angel

Rating: 3/5

Michael Winterbottom has tackled some interesting themes in his movies over the years, from the Manchester music scene in 24 Hour Party People to the real-life kidnapping of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in A Mighty Heart. Now he is back in the director's chair with The Face of An Angel.

The Face of An Angel is based on the book Angel Face by Barbie Latza Nadeau, which in turn was about the real-life story of Amanda Knox, who was accused of murdering Meredith Kercher in 2007.

The Face of an Angel is not about the crime itself per say, but more about how the crime was reported on by the media - it really does make for interesting viewing.

Thomas Lang (Brühl) is a film director who is offered the chance to adapt a book by American journalist Simone Ford (Beckinsale), which recounts the controversial trial of American student Jessica Fuller for the murder of her flatmate Elizabeth Pryce. To help with his research, Simone takes Thomas to Siena, where he is disturbed by the media frenzy that has developed around the case.

After visiting the crime scene, Thomas, who is separated from his wife and daughter, begins to question not only the motives of the people around him, from the financiers of the film to the press corps, but also his own. As Thomas descends into his own personal torment, he is rescued by his friendship with a young, guileless British student, Melanie (Delevingne). Through Melanie he begins to realise that he no longer wants to make a film about violence and guilt - he wants to make a film about love and innocence. He wants to make a film that will honour the victim, that will focus on the life, the love and the happiness that have been taken from her.

The Face of an Angel could so easily have been a step by step of the trail that gripped the world back in 2007; instead, Winterbottom has taken a very different view in this fictionalised account of events.

Instead of being a courtroom drama - which we have seen too many times to mention - it becomes a movie about remembering those that are lost and take a far more philosophical look at the story.

The Face of an Angel doesn't really set out to solve this high profile murder case; instead, it looks at the aftermath of murder - which isn't something that is explored too much on the big screen. The result is a swiftly paced and smart piece of cinema that treats this still controversial case with the dignity and respect.

Daniel Bruhl and Kate Beckinsale both give terrific central performances as Thomas and Simone, while Cara Delevingne shows that she could well have a very promising acting career ahead of her. This is only her second feature film and kicks off what is going to be a very busy movie year for her.

There is plenty to like about The Face of an Angel, as it is a compelling watch from start to finish. I like that Winterbottom has thought outside the box when bringing this story to the big screen - so many would have told the real story and tried to give their opinion on what really happened. Instead, this is an interesting character story that looks at some very different themes of murder. A good watch.