After seeing this phenomenal piece, you will realize the shallowness of Hollywood's cheesy Meg Ryan/Nicholas Cage remake, City of Angels. Yes, it's the romance of an angel-turned mortal, but so much more. It's a beautiful epic, like one continuous piece of poetry, paired with fabulous imagery and an evocative musical score. Filmed in lucent, luscious, silvery grayscale, peppered with bits of random color, this is a masterpiece thanks to the brilliant work of the legendary French cinematographer, Henri Alekan. It truly is a look at Berlin through the eyes of an angel. Take my word for it, this is a film well worth owning, since like any great piece of art, it can be watched again and again. I'm adding it to my Christmas wish list. Oh, and by the way, please feel free to toss your copy of City of Angels.
Such an amazing film.
ReplyDeleteI remember when City of Angels came out. I avoided it like the plague.
And, it made a Peter Falk lover out of me. This and his role in the Princess Bride.
Beautiful reminder!
Oh, that sounds like a great flick to pick up. I do love City of Angels, but disliked how sad it was at the end -- yes, melodramatic, but still hauntingly sad. But what a great premise for a love story.
ReplyDeleteI am so hooked. I had shivers go through me when the children saw what no one else did. I have no memory of the recent remake...probably a good thing. It will come with my next Netflix mailing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYep, I love the original and its follow-up.
ReplyDeleteYep, the American remake was despicable.
Love this film! Love this film. Love, love, love, love LOVE this film!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you loved it too, Willow!
I love this film.
Thanks for the link, too! Anyone who follows it should skip back to last week. This week's pretty goofy so far.
Thanks for the tip...I just added "Wings of Desire" to my Netflix queue.
ReplyDeleteThis is perhaps if not my most favorite, then a movie that is absolutely essential to who I am and who I've become. I've watched it a gazillion times, written about it (my article was published in Spirituality and Health Magazine!) and still love to hear anything about it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think City of Angels was cheesy at all, I thought it was simple and gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt looks quite magical, must try to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Willow.
So many classics; so little time to view. A wonderful film!
ReplyDeleteThis will be a must see for me now. I have been to Berlin a couple of times and was thoroughly captivated by the city, and look forward to flying back onf 'wings of desire'.
ReplyDeleteThe clip was haunting, willow. I was in Berlin (east and west) in 1971. I've been carrying a piece of it around with me ever since. One for my Christmas list, too.
ReplyDeleteWillow,
ReplyDeleteAfter your glowing review, I should probably see this flick,but in reality I probably won't.
rel
Willow,
ReplyDeleteAfter your glowing review, I should probably see this flick,but in reality I probably won't.
rel
Willow,
ReplyDeleteAfter your glowing review, I should probably see this flick,but in reality I probably won't.
rel
Been here on your blog off & on..and mostly I end up checking the post that are suggesting amazing movies..which I hardly have a chance of catching but still get added to my movie cart...Thanks for sharing the review :)
ReplyDeleteAnd kudos to your blogs..the poetry one as well as this one :)
We will have to see this one. I did like City of Angels, so this is a must see. You know how I love anything Angel related : )
ReplyDeletehello willow!!! with all due respect to the popular film industry, in my own film-watching experience, it's a rare instance when a remake matches let alone exceeds the quality of the original. wings of desire is high up my list of all time fave flicks. steven
ReplyDeleteI just went over to add it to my queue and I couldn't find it at first because I was searching for 'pocketful of poesy' - bit early I guess. Have corrected my error and added, look forward to viewing it.
ReplyDeleteWings of Desire is one of my very favorite films of all time - though I stupidly forgot to include it in my 15 films in 15 minutes on FB.
ReplyDeleteBruno Ganz ... Oh. My. God.
That opening sequence when you "hear" all the thoughts of people as they're flying around Berlin? Unforgettable. And Columbo?? Wow wow and WOW.
What a treat that you, such a movie buff, waited till now to see it!! Very cool.
Dear Willow, I am ashamed to say that I have never heard of this film. The trailer has certainly captured my interest and, with your unequivocal support, there is only one course of action.....find it and watch it!
ReplyDeleteReya, I am amazed that I knew nothing about his movie until now. Where was it hiding? It is wow. Completely WOW.
ReplyDeleteJust added it to my zip.ca queue (our Canadian version of Netflix)! Watched Io Sono Amore last night (thanks to your reco) loved that too. Keep 'em coming Willow!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I've not seen this one either--and I KNOW Joe would love it, too. He is a huge old movie buff--if they're done well. I'll have to tell him about it and when I'm home, soon, we can try to see it. Thanks for the heads up, both of you!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I had no idea City of Angels was a remake....like you it was not one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteIt's on my list now. I always love your recommendations. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I will get it.
ReplyDeletebeautiful recommendation - the trailer itself is remarkable!
ReplyDeleteThis film looks very "uber" the top! I'd love to see it! Henri Alekan reminds me of Man Ray photography or Metropolis by Fritz Lang (1927). Although German Expression is harsh for some like The Tin Drum (some like in hot too that's another movie!)written and directed by Volker Schlöndorff. Nicolas Cage can be my angel anyday! Meg Ryan is personable although I couldnt imagine her in a sombre picture any sort of moral depravity or wretchedness which is usually Berlin circa pre-war era. Definitely will get Netflix one day soon. Queue me up!
ReplyDeleteI, too, have never heard of this movie but you've convinced me; it's now in my queue. Very much looking forward to its arrival.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good one -- I rarely watch movies but maybe I should check this out. Thanks, Willow!
ReplyDeleteIt's a glorious film. I never saw the Hollywood remake as I didn't believe the film would be done justice. It's been on my list of films to re-watch for some time. So very moving.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled you discovered this film! It has long been one of my favourites. I actually saw it when it first came out - and I was deep into my German language studies. It is, indeed, a classic...and the awful American version was a farce compared to this. Bruno Ganz is just a marvel - as is the entire cast - and the city of Berlin!
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
I saw this one at college, but haven't thought of it for a while. I'll have to find it again!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this film and as I like your recommendations very much I have added it to my wish list. Thanks Willow....and as for I Am Love....i thought that it was spectacular....xv
ReplyDeleteI love O. Henry quote on your comment box, Willow. And thank you for a couple of interesting posts the past few days, painting your china cabinet and Wim Wender, et al. I've been in a hospital without my blog world, and I'm refreshing myself at home this morning.
ReplyDeletewillow -- from the video it looks like an art movie I would like to view -- thanks for the recommendation -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI saw this film years ago. I agree the Hollywood version does not compare. Maybe I'll see it again.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to watch at the movie theater...with this one and Paris-Texas Wenders grasped melancholy and space.
ReplyDeleteJeez, I have not seen this in so very long! Will re-aquaint myself.... Winter is coming, time to make that queue list long! (there was a follow-up?)-J
ReplyDeleteo dear, i have never heard of it...but will certainly check it out now...
ReplyDeletethanks willow
kary
xxx
There are loopholes and omissions in
ReplyDeleteall our personal lexicon of film viewing.
It is wonderful that you have finally
watched WINGS OF DESIRE (1987).
It has long been one of my top 100
films of all time. Bruno Ganz, kind of
the German George C. Scott, is brilliant;
breaks your heart. Wim Wenders found
amazing things to do with the camera
pre CGI. His girlfriend at the time,
Solveig Dommartin, I think was Swedish,
and had to learn German for the part.
Otto Sander was a brilliant second
banana, and Peter Falk was touching,
endearing, nearly precious. If you want
to really see him act, however, check
out some Cassavettes films like
HUSBANDS (1970) or WOMAN UNDER
THE INFLUENCE (1974), or one of his
sleeper roles like Sgt. Rossi in CASTLE KEEP
(1969)--"Enter a small man stage right with
a large erection."
Wim Wenders did the sequel to WINGS,
titled FARAWAY, SO CLOSE (1993), and
it was rambling, more in color, and
starring Otto Sander, with Bruno Ganz
doing a supporting role. The stand out
performance was by Natassja Kinski
as one of the legion of angels. A scene
where she gently holds the head of a
dying man after a motorcycle crash
brings me to tears just recalling it.
Peter Falk made an appearance, and
Willem Dafoe muddled up the plot.
It was missing the magic of the first.
And actually I agree with the one
commenter here who took a stand
on CITY OF ANGELS, saying it was
not cheesy, just sentimental.
Cage can be lost without a strong
director, and TV director Brad
Silberling had such a hand.
Meg Ryan was very effective.
I did not like the Hollywood twist
of her dying just as Cage became
mortal, but there it was. Dennis
Franz did the Ganz role, and the
'wonderful Andre Braugher did
the Otto Sander role. Those scenes
where the legions of angels stood
at the beach to watch the sun rise
were stirring too.
I knew you'd jump in on this one, Glenn. Thanks for the suggestions on additional Peter Falk movies. I'm adding them to my Netflix queue. I had actually quite forgotten about him. He is practically precious in this film!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite movies of all time
ReplyDeletethat and Wim Wenders "Alice of the Cities"
which was wonderful too........
Back in NY again madly jet lagged.
Willow,
ReplyDeleteI could agree with you more. It has been a few years since I last watched "Wings of Desire" and yes City of Angels needs to be tossed. I will go an add it right now as I need to see it again. I remember it was a wonderful film and very much worth seeing multiple times. Thanks for the great reminder!
Kristen
P.S. hope Santa brings it for Christmas!
Sorry I am typing so fast on limited brain cells right now. I was trying to say "I couldn't agree with you more..." I am sure you figured it out but I am too tired to even analyze that one!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness.. this is a must see...now what is it called again? "Angel of desire"?.. oh aaahhh thats not it.. "Wings of Desire"... hee hee... I'm going to my queue right now !
ReplyDelete:) The Bach
City of Angels is pretty cheesy, though I admit to liking it when it 1st came out.
ReplyDeleteI rented it again a while back, and ugh.
I love how you continually add to the expansion of my horizon.
Thanks Willow.
Oh intriguing! I just finished watching the trailer you posted and will definitely be trying to get a copy to watch! Thanks for sharing Willow..it's right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteJust put it on the Netflix list!
ReplyDeleteIt is a fantastic film which I first saw many years ago. That reminds me to put some Wenders' films in my lovefilm queue. Interesting that the title in German comes back as 'The Sky Over Berlin'. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
I first saw Wings of desire in a cut version so was not clear on a few parts. When i saw it again - it was uncut and things remarkably were clearer. (Perhaps an angel stood next to me and watched their hand on my shoulder and slightly leaning forward). I saw the City of Angels version and was saddened that it was so changed. There is a sequel which is on my Netflix list and I will see someday.
ReplyDeleteOh, I so want to see this even though, I have to say, I did like the Meg Ryan / cage version for wahtever that is worth, but then again, I love most of the older Meg Ryan movies as I;ve always had this sort of movie crush on her anyway. And Nicholas Cage is so funny in his consistent never changing manner he always is regardless of what role he plays.
ReplyDeleteJust watched that clip now too. does look very good. Was actualyl rather stunned there was that amount of skin shown in a movie from back then--well done as always, unlike so many now.
ReplyDeleteI gotta see it. Most film is made for kiddies today.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I just saw Wings of Desire for the first time myself, what a terrific film! I've been doing a little digging, and there's so much thought that went into the production of the film, it's mindboggling.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a bit about it here if you're at all interested: http://bit.ly/gVcUjI