Review of Wings of Desire (1987) by Brooke R — 26 Mar 2010

Forget white gowns, halos, and wings. The angels in Wings of Desire don trench-coats and dream of cigarettes. The 1987 German film by Wim Winders follows the daily activities of two angels. They guard the undivided sky and watch over the citizens of a divided Berlin. They observe and offer silent guidance, wanting to be a part of the world they watch. The angelic team of Damiel and Cassiel are played by Bruno Ganz and Otto Sander.

These angels are all knowing, but they cannot change a person's chosen actions. They provide an invisible comfort in times of need, but cannot influence what someone does. Both have been watching the city since the beginning of time, and wish for a life where they could feel the things humans do. We often find them at the library, which seems to be the headquarters for the angels of Berlin. Each day the two swap notes on what they?ve seen and heard throughout the day. During these discussions we discover what both want out of a real life on Earth. They long to taste a cigarette with coffee, wiggle their toes, lie, come home and feed the cat, and to have a woman to love.

We are introduced to Berlin?s citizens before meeting the characters we will follow to the end. Hearing the thoughts of everyone is like scanning through the radio, little snippets of each person?s train of thoughts is heard. We meet many people contemplating their existence and why they are who they are. The people of Berlin are usually oblivious to the angels existence, but children and some adults can sense their presence. Eventually the focus becomes Marion (Solveig Dommartin), Peter Falk (as himself) and Homer (Curt Bois). Marion is a trapeze artist who is unsure of her future as the circus ends, but knows that she is meant to find someone. She fears that the ending of the circus will put her back to waitressing instead of doing what she loves. Homer is a storyteller and nearing the end of his life. He often reflects on how the times have changed throughout his stay on Earth, ?Must I give up now? If I do give up, then mankind will lose its storyteller. And if mankind once loses its storyteller, then it will lose its childhood.? He is deeply worried that once he is gone storytelling will not be the same. Peter Falk is filming a movie in Berlin. Although he cannot actually see the angels he senses Damiel?s presence, ?I can't see ya, but I know you're here. I can feel it.? Damiel fancies Marion and she becomes the object of his desire. He wants to be with her, but as an angel that is not possible. After watching her from afar and longing to feel her he decides to take the plunge, become human. Once he becomes a human he must find Marion. She is unconsciously looking for him too, making it somewhat difficult. Will he find her and finally have the love he longs for?

Wings of Desire is a beautiful work of filmmaking. Beginning with the opening ariel shot of Berlin, the piece shows a gorgeous side of the divided city through the eyes of those who protect it. The plot is not apparent right away compared to most films that jump into it during the opening scene. The uniqueness is what makes this film so special. I?ve never seen a movie that is anything close to this. This film is something truly unique and worth the extra effort of reading along to understand.