Review of Only Angels Have Wings (1939) by Ilene S — 18 Sep 2008
Nothing against Howard Hawks, but this film was all over the place. It was unfocused and unbelievable. For example, the ending was so unrealistic, that a woman would completely give up and stay with Cary Grant with the smallest notion possible.
The love story should have been focused on, but instead you make an hour long film into an almost 2 hour film with the addition of a brother-killing pilot storyline. I just missed the point of this film and it became excruciating.
I'm not for blinding giving a film 4 or 5 stars just because it's black and white and from the B&W era. Howard Hawks was amazing for his time, but it doesn't mean everything he touched was gold.
(Bringing Up Baby for example, the worst film I've ever seen to date (seriously). I'm a film student and I'm still not convinced. Sure, we couldn't be where we are today if it hadn't been for those in the past, but that doesn't mean everything that made was spectacular.
That aside, the performances were great, and I loved seeing all the characters from Cary Grant to Jean Arthur, to the Kid and his nemesis Killogan and the two pilots fighting for Jean's steak dinner.
This review of Only Angels Have Wings (1939) was written by Ilene S on 18 Sep 2008.
Only Angels Have Wings has generally received very positive reviews.
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