"Austin Powers" is the only Hollywoodesque movie to hit the theatres this week, so it's not surprizing that audiences have flocked to see it. Rest assured, the timing of this flick has to be its major draw, since the film itself is disjointed as best and blatantly offensive at worst. There are two or three moments that arouse a chuckle, a number of scenes to cajole a smile, but by far the majority of the film is base gross humor that should be disinfected or destroyed.

Thank heavens there are other options for cinema enthusiasts, since the "The Dreamlife of Angels," the remarkable French film that wowed the Cannes Film Festival last year, has finally made it to American theatres.;The film is a poignant look at the postmodern condition, and in particular, at a lifestyle often associated with generation xers. The story revolves around two young women, Isa and Marie, in roles so impressive and powerful, that Cannes awarded best actress awards to both women. And for obvious reasons.

When the film opens we meet an itinerant young woman named Isa, who arrives in Lille with no money and no job. Within a few scenes she has found a job and a place to stay, with Marie, a kindred spirit of sorts. Both flit from situation to situation in a sense of playfulness that makes them seem untouchable by life. Until romance enters the mix, when things become very complicated.

Isa is a student of life in this movie. Her huge brown eyes seem to absorb the life she witnesses and touches all around her. At first it appears that she takes little seriously, and yet as matters unfold, it becomes apparent that she treats everything with an earnestness that is almost painful to witness.

Her friend Marie, on the other hand, is seemly content to wander through her existence, feeling as little as possible. When Isa is fired from her sweatshop job, for example, Marie shrugs her shoulders and says she will not go back either. As the film unfolds, however, the focus of the story shifts from Isa to Marie. She has dark side that soon overpowers her indifference, gradually overwhelming her. It's interesting that the first impression chracteristics of the two girls actually reverse in the course of the two hour movie.

If "The Dreamlife of Angels" has a downfall it is that the ending is a tad too fore-seeable, considering the captivating intensity of the rest of the film's material. The relationship between the two girls is developed brilliantly. Thrown together by chance, they become intense friends, only to push each other away just as quickly.

Be warned, "The Dreamlife of Angels" is not a cheerful happy little movie, even though its outer wrapping seems carefree and light. This thoughtful and intense film wanders through interesting life situations without hammering home a moral. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys pondering the human condition.