By director Duaine Carma Roberts with his first feature, Angel City is a tale of loyalty and friendship as two sisters, Raven and Angel (Tamaira Hesson and Adaya Monique Henry) become involved in an attempted murder case, which brings forward a lot past issues and truths.
The film presents itself as a dark, family-crime-drama; the type that the UK does so well. It is gritty in its presentation and almost gives the viewer a fly-on-the-wall perspective. The cinematography feels almost documentary-like as we watch this mystery unfold from the perspectives of several characters. Initially a little difficult to keep up with who's who and the time period that you're experiencing, Angel City soon makes clear with its narrative as it begins to unfold very smoothly.
The performances by the whole cast are all convincing and in keeping with the overall feel of the film, and all present differing personalities that make each section of the film feel unlike the next, bouncing off of each other effortlessly. Each of the characters have their own struggles and their own flaws, thus making it a little difficult to know who to root for or who to support, but perhaps that was Carma Roberts' intention.
Also appreciated is the LGBTQ representation that is tastefully implemented and doesn't feel forced or like something that is constantly referred to, but rather exists in a very natural and ordinary way, as it should.
'Angel City' at times does include a few cliches in its storytelling and characters, not that this takes away from its narrative- which does remain engaging. However if you've seen your fair share of similarly themed UK dramas, you'll recognise a few of these tropes along the way.
Despite that, there has clearly been a lot of time, effort and passion put into Angel City and it is a feature that certainly retains the viewers' interest in a way that feels as though you are watching through the eyes of the camera- as an outsider looking in, perhaps when you're not supposed to. The overall realism keeps your concentration as if somebody has mistakenly called your phone as you sit tight, listening just in case your name is mentioned or in this case, for that "a-ha!" moment.
Get a taster with the clip below:
Writer and director: Duaine Carma Roberts - Official Instagram
Starring:
Adaya Monique Henry - Official Instagram
Tamaira Hesson - Official Instagram
Georgia Neath - Official Instagram
Liam Millard - Official Instagram
Chereis Sewell - Official Instagram
Andre Pierre - Official Instagram
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