Review of Wings of Desire (1987) by Dawdlingpoet — 20 Nov 2021

I wanted to see this after hearing one of my favourite films as a teenager, the 90s film City of Angels, was based on it. I'd never got around to seeing it until now. I have to say, there are similarities and also differences but overall I loved this film. It is quite an arty type film, its mostly in black and white (although there are brief moments in colour) which gives it a timeless and even somehow an ethereal feel, but that didn't bother me. Its a very thoughtful film - quite a deep and meaningful film and it somewhat (dialogue wise) talks in riddles but as I say I very much enjoyed it. Perhaps it'd be more accurate to say the dialogue is a bit poetic, rather than entirely consisting of riddles. It isn't a film likely to appeal to people just wanting to sit back and not have to go to any effort to try to follow and understand everything, I suppose.

I like the concept of angels being around, able to hear the internal thoughts of humans who have no idea of their existence and part of their purpose being to help people in their final moments. It may sound a bit grim, it is undoubtedly grim in parts but its the sort of optimism that the plot hints at, that I suppose I find so comforting and that appeals to me. I am quite a socially anxious person, in terms of face to face conversations and interactions and so there's something very uplifting and comforting in the concept of angels and aspects or themes covered in this film, so its safe to say that this film appeals to me a great deal.

The film is primarily in German, although there is some English but for those unfamiliar with the German language, there are (of course) English subtitles. This may put people off watching but it certainly didn't put me off and as I say both languages feature, although I'd say primarily German is spoken, moreso than English. I felt that the plot pace in this film was a fair bit slower than the plot pace in the 90s remake, City of Angels, although thats not necessarily a bad thing. Of course its up to you whether a slow plot pace especially bothers you or not, depending on how patient (or not) you are as a film viewer. I felt that the not especially clear plot direction made me consider for longer how different people felt, what they worried and wondered while the camera pans from person to person, with the English subtitles telling us their thoughts and concerns. This includes who I presume to be Nazi soldiers - this may cause issues with anyone who has been personally affected by the war, of course, so I suppose I felt I should mention this. There is also specific mentions of Jews as well. Thematically speaking it mostly concentrates on loneliness and isolation, I'd say (I did say its (if but partly) grim).

I would wholeheartedly recommend this film to anyone interested in it, although I say that while also wanting to make it clear that I realise some people won't necessarily enjoy it, for the language issue, the lack of clear and fast paced plot direction and perhaps the war and/or religious aspects/connotations. If those things don't bother you, then please see this - its well worth a watch!.