Now, how do I give angel wings on certain individuals…
What it's about
Much to his surprise, utter misanthrope Angel is transformed to his namesake, when a pair of snow-white wings sprout from his back. The wings force him to do good deeds, and he desperately tries to get rid of them, but everyone in town now wants these wings for fame and fortune.
The take
As much as we’d like to think everyone can be redeemed, there are terrible, awful people that do exist that make it hard to believe in change. Idiots and Angels takes one such person named Angel, and forces him through a highly unusual, creepy, and cynical redemption tale that involves a body transformation that’s less heavenly and more Kafkaesque. As he pulls feathers from his body, Angel’s miserable, terrible self has no choice but to act decently for once. It’s a unique transformation, one we wish our curmudgeonly acquaintances would have, and with no words spoken, Bill Plympton’s unique cross-hatched animation takes center stage. Idiots and Angels may not be the most perfect animated film out there, but it’s certainly one of its kind, something you’ve probably never seen before.
What stands out
Mild spoilers. With a unique premise, story, and art style, Idiots and Angels might have held a stronger impression, but the side characters need a touch more tweaking, especially Blonde, Bart’s wife. The film’s treatment makes their endings feel so ludicrous, even when compared to wings sprouting out of a human body.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
Once Were Warriors (1994)
A Maori family survives in an alienating Auckland in this raw, tragic drama
8.0
Silenced (2011)
A brutal and harrowing exposé of the schoolwide abuse case that sparked outrage in Korea
9.0
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002)
Two boys bond with the village seamstress through banned books in this coming-of-age historical drama
7.2
My Old Ass (2024)
A pleasant mix of comedy and coming-of-age that may or may not leave you in tears
8.0
My King (2015)
A lover heals her knee and her heart in this contemplative drama about co-dependency
7.0
The Substance (2024)
Demi Moore swaps bodies in this standout chaotic body dysmorphia horror
8.3
Last Film Show (2022)
A boy spends a summer on movies in this stunning semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama
7.8
Look Back (2024)
Art connects people through time and space in this short and sweet drama
9.0
Being Julia (2004)
A middle age crisis leads to a star finding her spark in this insightful comedy
7.1
The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005)
A gangster’s son finds a new way of living in this intense, piano-playing neo-noir