Angel-a (2005)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473753/

Steven Spielberg really used this one to remind everyone just how much of a powerhouse filmmaker he is.
It’s about a small-time fraud—a total loser, really—who’s so stuck in his own head he’s practically looking for an exit strategy, only to run right into someone who seems just like him. At least on the surface.
Really beautiful stuff. My only real hang-up is whether the black-and-white cinematography actually elevates the mood or just gets in the way.

This remains one of my absolute favorite films—the plot leans into certain clichés, I'll admit, but the aesthetic is just stunning. While some of the characters can be a bit grating at times, you eventually find yourself rooting for them; there's a genuine sense of chemistry between them that really pulls you in.

Ria Rasmussen is a goddess. 🙏