Review of Wings of Desire (1987) by Numna S — 15 Jan 2010

Wings of Desire is a very thought provoking and intelligent movie about what life stands for and how we (humans) may take it for granted.

The main plot follows angels Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander) as they live out their days collecting the thoughts of humans. Their roles leave them with very hollow existences and Damiel is beginning to grow weary of his one-dimensional being.

Through-out their travels, Damiel stumbles upon Marion (Solveig Dommartin) and begins to fall in love with her (an emotion that he should not have). While his love is very secluded, he definitely has a spark and wants to see it to the end.

One of the best bits about this film is the direction by Wim Wenders. For the spiritual world of the angels, everything is filmed in black and white. It sort of signifies how an angel can never know the beauty of life or have anything close to what a human feels.

When we are taken, briefly, to the humans, we are treated to full color shots. The first time this happens, it almost feels like it's attempting to highlight something in particular (granted it is focused on Marion). Once you learn what color represents (life, love, emotion), you almost want to impose it into some of the shots yourself.

It is a very fascinating way to describe the setting without actually using words. What better tool to get across that angels cannot really live then simply blacking out their vision?

The other great quality of the direction (that could be seen as detrimental to some) is the very indolent pacing. You would expect that an immortal angel would really feel the passing of time and this movie doesn't disappoint there. While only 2 hours long, every shot is deliberate and extended so that you can truly soak in what is being said.

As for the actual writing, this movie may not have much in the way of character depth but it certainly gets your brain churning. Nearly every person that speaks has something to say about what their life means. Should I end it today? Can I really find love? Why do my thoughts taper off? It really comforts you to know that other people don't live such happy and carefree lives, much like the angels.

The acting is similar to the direction in that it is very plodding. When people speak, they do so in slow voices and very deep tones. Bruno Ganz, who is featured on camera more than anyone, actually doesn't speak much. When his words do come out, they are calculated and offer insight into what he is feeling.

Otto Sander speaks even less, but his presence sort of feels like the side kick. He travels around with Bruno and tries to offer up words that will help his friend find some kind of light.

Solveig Dommartin gets very little in the way of actual dialog, but her words truly ring the most. Her character's plight is that of being lonesome and her monologue at the end is very deep. Everything she says is captivating and her acting skills just further enhance that.

While I have no problems with this film whatsoever, this isn't a movie I can recommend to everyone. The plot doesn't really take off until about an hour and a half into the movie and it's very slow pacing will turn off many a viewer. If you need a good thinking man's movie, though, look no further than this.