Wings of Desire (1987)

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Director: Wim Wenders

Writers: Wim Wenders and Peter Handke, screenplay collaboration with Richard Reitinger

Stars: Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois, Peter Falk, Hans-Martin Stier, Elmar Wilms, Sigurd Rachman, Beatrice Manowski



In director Wim Wenders's universe, we are all observed by silent, eternal angels who are invisible to all but children.

 


They wander through the world like ghosts, privy to our thoughts but unable to participate in the world. 



The first two-thirds or so of this film shows us what this existence is like.

 


There is virtually no plot; rather, we are treated to evocative visuals while the thoughts of various Berliners unfold on the soundtrack--sometimes they are intriguing non sequiturs and sometimes fascinating philosophical questions. 



This is the strongest part of the film.

 


When the angel Damiel (Bruno Ganz) assumes mortality out of love for a beautiful trapeze artist, the ensuing romance seems rather abrupt and unconvincing.

 


To be continued...


































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