Requiescant in Pace 2009: Part 1

Ray Dennis Steckler (producer/director/screenwriter)


Charles H. Schneer (producer)


John Updike (writer)


James Whitmore


Maurice Jarre (composer)


Andy Hallett


Marilyn Chambers

Andy Hallett 1975-2009

Some of you may have heard this by now, but for those who haven't, I have some truly sad news to report today. Andy Hallett, beloved for his role as the crooning demon Lorne on the Buffy spin-off series Angel, has died of heart failure at the age of 33.

Hallett had been struggling with heart disease (presumably congenital) for a few years now, and had been admitted to the hospital for treatment in the past. He passed last Sunday night, and E! Online first reported the tragic news on Monday.

The actor spent four years on the show, from 2000 to 2004, and actually didn't do much other acting, instead focusing on his music--a taste of which Angel fans got to enjoy from time to time on the show. In fact, he hadn't appeared on screen since Angel's cancellation.

ANGEL

Written by Martin Crimp & Francois Ozon
Directed by Francois Ozon
Starring Romola Garai, Sam Neill, Lucy Russell, Michael Fassbender


Angel Deverell: I quite like Shakespeare except when he's trying to be funny.

A group of girls march in succession toward their daily lesson, both their step and their outfits similar in fashion, until one girl breaks from the mold and finds herself at the gates of paradise, forced to gaze from afar. The girl is Angel, the title character from French director, Francois Ozon’s first venture into English-language film. Don’t let the name fool you though; there is nothing remotely angelic about her. She is spoiled, loud and delusional – everything you want in a heroine you’re supposed to root for and just the kind of person you want to see get everything they desire. Right?


Angel is a writer, not a very good writer but people love her. She refuses to live in the real world in favor of the perfect illusion she believes she has crafted for herself. It all raises many questions about success and talent, sanity and vanity, but no matter how wickedly she is played by Romola Garai, the woman is too wretched to inspire sympathy in the viewer and Ozon does nothing to help.

Ozon’s past efforts range in form from ridiculous and satirical to contemplative and tragic. His transition into the realm of period drama is daring considering the smaller size of his previous works but he juggles the elements well. In fact, he balances back and forth between the elaborate costumes, grandiose sets and exaggerated performances so well that it all feels rather plain. Considering how allergic Angel was to the mundane, I don’t think she would have been very pleased with this. And trust me, you wouldn't like her mad.