Rating: 
Summary: Unusual representation of angels.
Review: Meg Ryan (as Maggie Rice, a heart surgeon) and Nicolas Cage (as an angel only known as Seth--well, Seth "Plate", actually;-) star in this serious, but warm-hearted fantasy, and both do their usual fine job. But it was Dennis Franz (as an angel that has already "fallen") that added some real heart that this movie, on occasion, strangely lacked. What a fine actor he is!A remake of "Wings of Desire" (which I haven't as yet seen), this film has some wonderful moments. As the title suggests, the story concerns angels, and the part they play when interacting with the dying. This story becomes more interesting when Seth becomes attracted to Maggie after complications arise from a bypass surgery that she performed on a patient. Soon after, Seth becomes obsessed with Maggie and in a wonderful scene, becomes visible to her as she walks the halls of the hospital after visiting hours. Their interactions with each other throughout the film were touching. When I think of angels, I think of beautiful people in white flowing robes, halos, light, and often wings. "City of Angels" keeps the beautiful people concept, but to their credit, dresses them in ankle-length, dark gray leather coats. Also, these angels don't really interfere with life, or fate. Their sole purpose is to comfort. This also created a rich, but subdued feel to the film. The basic plot question is, will Seth take the "fall" and become human so he can have a life with the woman he loves? It's not a cut and dried answer, as Seth finds tremendous beauty and comfort being an Angel of God. And again, to the films credit ... well, you'll just have to purchase or rent the film to find out. I had wished, however, that the footage that ended up on the cutting room floor could have been added to this film (fortunately the CD contains these deleted scenes on side B, along with some interesting commentary). I would have also loved to have seen scenes where Maggie begins having a true revelation about Seth. This important part was played down in the film, and ultimately hurt it, making it less satisfying for this viewer. And because key scenes were deleted, which would have filled in things so very, very nicely, the final product came off as rather odd, or even a bit cold, at times. I do however, highly recommend this film. Along with what I've already pointed out, there are some nice special effects, some seductive scenery, along with a memorable soundtrack (especially McLachlan's "Angel", which played in the background of a rather poignant scene). In many ways, I feel that parts of this film could be considered works of art. Between 1 and 10, I give "City of Angels" a solid 8. It's a very good film, a touching film, but a film that missed being a "don't miss gem" because of some surprising (to me, at least) editing decisions. If we're lucky, maybe one day we will get to see the "Director's Cut".
Rating:
Summary: Angels Among Us
Review: CITY OF ANGELS is an interesting movie that opened my mind a bit and was easy to get into. The story surrounds Maggie (Meg Ryan) who loses a patient, and an angel named Seth (Nicolas Cage) comes to comfort her. What he doesn't expect is to fall in love with her. Maggie too, is smitten with him, but is frustrated by their distance, and that she truly doesn't know him. The more she learns about him, the more she pushes away from him. Seth realizes he has a choice, between living as a human or staying immortal. When he does take the plunge, he finds her and their love story begins. Ryan and Cage convincingly play soulmates, but by the time they find each other and can be together, is very short lived, and near the end of the movie. It made the movie all that more sad, but I think the underlying theme is that time is so precious and shouldn't be taken for granted. The movie was very well made, I was slightly disapointed that their happiness together was very short lived. Ultimately, it was well worth watching and I would reccomend it.
Rating: 
Summary: So Bad It's Hardly worth Reviewing
Review: For those of us who do believe in the existence of Angels, "City of Angels" is not only a sick joke, but a joke in and of itself. And horribly miscast, on top of everything else. Don't waste your time on this one.
Rating:
Summary: The. Worst. Remake. Ever.
Review: Except for the mugging of Solaris. This film is to be avoided at all costs. It loosened my bowels. Do yourself a big fat favour and give it a skip and see the original film, "Wings of Desire" by Wim Wenders, which is one of the best films. Ever. "Wings of Desire" is worth owning. City of Angeles isn't worth visiting, in oh so many ways....
Rating: 
Summary: LIVE EACH DAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST; ONE DAY IT WILL BE
Review: This movie is a priceless work of art: the script, cast, soundtrack, cinematography-- everything! It is also likened to an Aesop's Fable; there is a definite moral/lesson to be learned! (See above title.) We watch the story of an angel (Seth played by N. Cage) fall in love with a Doctor (Maggie played by M. Ryan) of a heart surgery patient who was not supposed to "make it" and doesn't. While Maggie is trying to save her patient, another nurse says, "He's going." To which she looks dead at Seth and says "He's not going anywhere." Whether she actually sees him or not we don't know. Seth thinks she does; this snowballs his thinking and he begins to question his existence. Near the end he makes a choice after some counseling from Dennis Frantz. "Free will brother," is his advice. So Seth goes for it. He becomes human and finds Maggie; they share what all humans search for and few find: a physical connection that is so deep it transcends into the spiritual. They are each others' soulmates. This movie reaches out from the screen and captures your heart (if you still have one. If not, it reaffirms that we all have free will and we can choose to open our hearts to love again.) If you have a broken heart watch how Seth deals with his; truly an inspiration. Remember "some things are true whether you believe them or not." "Now abide faith, hope, love these three; but the greatest of these is love." From THE HOLY BIBLE, I CORINTHIANS 13:13.
Rating:
Summary: A winner!
Review: Nicolas Cage is superb as an angel named Seth who suddenly finds himself guarding Dr Maggie Rice(Meg Ryan) from when her daughter dies in the film's opening scenes. From then on he finds himself drawn closer to the point of sacrificing his immortality to spend the rest of his life with her. Will he or won't he? I saw the UK version of this DVD with my wife and we were both very impressed. In spite of a predictable ending, the journey there is a visual delight, with unseen angels walking atop city skyscrapers, taking a break atop freeway bridges, all in a very surreal but spectacular fashion. The cinematography, with the aerial shots, is excellent, a show in itself. And the story is thought-provoking at times - just what will one sacrifice for true love? This is definitely one of Cage's best movies, much better than recent efforts such as BRINGING OUT THE DEAD and the dreadful SNAKE EYES.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best modern romance films, one of Meg's greatest.
Review: This film is soooo good. It makes you look at life in a whole other perspective. The performances in this film are phenomenal. Nicholas Cage, Meg Ryan, that dude from NYPD Blue, and the whole rest of the cast played fantastic roles. The story is both gripping and moving, and the script is awesome. The way the movie changes you is very spiritual. The cinematography, though subtle, is good. The score and the soundtrack is one of the most mournfull I have ever heard. Everything about this movie is surreal. See it. I highly reccomend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Awestruck by an angelic piece of Poetry
Review: This is one of the most beautiful love stories you can find on film. No better an angel than blue-eyed Cage and no better the love of his life than mesmorizing blonde curly-haired Meg Ryan. Even though this is being put down as a "chick flick" :-) I know of a lot of guys who really liked the movie (though they hate to admit to it, of course :-)), so don't let yourself be discouraged by bad reviews. Instead, make the journey yourself - follow angel Seth through his tormented journey to be with a human - to feel, touch, smell... "I'd rather have one touch of her hand, one smell of her hair, one kiss of her mouth than eternity without it. One." Poetry in motion. Amazing. Funny. Stunning yet simple. I wish I had an angel like that fall for me :-). Don't forget your hankies and get the soundtrack when you're done watching :-).
Rating:
Summary: The "touch" of love
Review: I could go on about how GORGEOUS Meg was, or how well the movie was made, or how great the cast was, but the others have done that already. The one thing that stuck out at me after watching the movie was the call (I felt) to revel in the simple things of life, the things that are common for us, that we take for granted ("touch", for example). I like the part where by lookig through the eyes of the "fallen" angel, you discover the joy of being alive. That's a fresh perspective that caught my attention fully. The movie is very emotional, but at the same time, deep. It doesn't get into melodrama as a lot of other other romantic movies do. All in all, I'd say it is a movie for lovers, but I'd reccommend it to anyone who wants a fresh perspective in life. Awesome soundtrack. Not exactly John Williams stuff, but still touching. You'll cry if you let yourself!
Rating:
Summary: The Heavens over L.A.
Review: Why is it that movies about angels and heaven and death intrigue us? Is it because it is something untangible? something we all believe in but are not sure what it actually looks like? City of Angels is a remake of the German movie "Der Himmel über Berlin" (The heaven over Berlin). That movie starts with the angel sitting on a broken church (Gedächtniskirche) in Berlin. Nicolas Cage sits on a skyscraper, America's cathedral. He tries to get alive so he can feel and love. He is helped by another fallen angel played by a magnificent Dennis Frantz. He gets his wish, gets the girl but then... Meg Ryan is superb as ever.
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