Review of Only Angels Have Wings (1939) by Tibor B — 11 Aug 2009

Now this is the sort of movie they don't make anymore, and probably a good thing too. It's a fairly typical Howard Hawks set-up, at it's core is the possibility of a relationship with a woman whilst still sticking together with your buddies as you do macho stuff like flying planes through fog over the Andes.

On the face of it it's pretty silly stuff, with some dated model effects and an even more dated view of male / female dynamics. But as a look at the close bond of men working together under harsh conditions it has a deeply felt truth to it, which Hawks knew first hand and can't be faked.

Elements of it did try my patience but there's an inimitable spark to Golden-era Hollywood films such as these.