Review of Wings of Desire (1987) by Ryan W — 14 Feb 2009

This deeply poetic, though sadly inconsistent and frustrating, portrait of human life through the eyes of an angel is gorgeous and mesmerizing no doubt. But by the time the third act comes along, the film has gone on too long and too far down hill, culminating in quite a confusing and disappointing attempt at profundity that just doesn't register.

So many incredibly moving and philosophically engaging words and images that flow through the piece, however, almost make me guilty with my criticism. There are a great many wonderful things in the film, especially when it sticks to its lovely, unique, black and white cinematography.

The world in color is, in fact, less engaging then the world with out it (at least in this case). Wenders is brimming with brilliance, but a little better cutting and pasting and an ending that didn't feel so overdone and out of place would have sealed an otherwise excellent, and near transcendent, deal.