City of Angels

Rating:
Summary: I was prejudiced at the start of this film...
Review: Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders), which City of Angels is (loosely) based on, is my all-time favorite movie. Which wouldn't necessarily mean that I would harshly judge City of Angels, but the parts I loved best about Wings of Desire - the very spiritual themes, the poetry, and the unusual camerawork and use of lighting and color, were completely lost in this American version.

Add to that the added twist at the end, and I was thoroughly unimpressed.

This movie, on its own, is okay for a "date film" - except for the ending, which only made me wonder why they did it that way.

But when it's another rendition of an incredible film like "Wings of Desire", it's just a complete disappointment.

I'd say skip this one - and get Wim Wenders' film instead.

Rating:
Summary: I'm not sure what to say . . . famous last words.
Review: "Angel Limited Involvement Rule: Modern movie angels mostly seem to visit Earth to smoke cigarettes, eat pizza, and show what regular Joes they are. Although famine, war, disease, and higher prices torment the globe, they solve such problems as a guy who has stopped dating because he has lost his faith in women."-- Ebert's Bigger Little Movie Glossary, p. 7.

This is a very interesting movie, and I'm not sure what to say. It came after the 1996 remake of "The Preacher's Wife" and "Michael," and is one of those angelic involvement movies, which are all chips off of "It's a Wonderful Life's" block. As Ebert points out, most of the angels are really a bunch of sluffs that are just switching from a celestial slum to a terrestrial slum. A moderate change of scenery. But this film has a slightly different feel to it. On to the Review!

ACTING: Nicholas Cage does a wonderful job of acting in this movie. I think I have finally burnt over the images of Cage in "Raising Arizona," which was his "Buckaroo Banzai." The thing to watch is his face: he doesn't look like a delicate 1980's-"glam rock" delicate angel, but he does convey a sense of wonder. His eyes are always wide open, and his eyebrow are raised in a perpetual quizzical look. He conveys the wonder of humanity. Meg Ryan is there in the background and does a professional job. They interact well in this starting to be stereotypical "Mulder and Scully" set up where the man is the believer and the woman is the skeptic. In real world it is always the opposite.

STORY: Yon read about fallen angels in the Bible, but this does not follow the Biblical pattern, since Satan was the head of the fallen angels (Revelation Chapter 13 or Isaiah chapter 14). It is more of a "fall forward." In "War and Peace," Tolstoy speculates that before our birth, we were all angels and had lived forever before we were born. The movie follows that general current, where an angel is given the freedom of will to become a human, a trade off from living a celestial, though incomplete and pain-free life, to become human, and have a complete and pain filled life. Apparently, the opposition of pain and pleasure is a step forward. This seems the essence of humanity, since not only did the angels fall, but man fall, and according to Christian theology, God became man.

As you suspect, the fallen, or progressed, angel falls in love with the human and experiences life, bot love and muggings, sunshine and rain. The problems is that the movie ends a bit too soon. It would be nice to see Seth Plate and Nathaniel Messenger in a film set twenty years after Seth's fall and to see what he has to say about life. Can you really comment about life after only living a day or so? Talk to some veterans this memorial day, and let them tell you about life, or any nonagenarian or centenarian you happen to meet.

ETHICS: This film has an ethical side to it. The shallow side of the question is : "When, if ever is it prober to break up an engagement?" Several other films deal with this subject (Titanic, Princess Bride), and the consensus seem to be that anything is legal and lawful if it is done in the name of love. In the real world, this is actually annoying--try it sometime, and see if you don't end up in court. I wonder why Hollywood likes this motif of breaking up an engagement in the name of love.

Another ethical question is the question of human existence, a stable but un-progressing existence versus an unstable but progressive system. We all experience both pain and pleasure, and it seems like too much pain and not enough pleasure. (This is the refined pleasure I'm talking about, what you get from hearing Handel's Watermusic, not sensual pleasure of saccharin or pornography. That never satisfies anyone.) So is this the best of all possible worlds? I's say yes. You can have a stable machine-like existence, but you don't have a soul really until you feel pain. No ecstasy without agony. That is the problem with junkies--they live for sensation, but they don't have a life.

You see this with Nathaniel Messenger. After his fall, he gets married and has a family and a stable job. Good Citizen! But he also becomes a glutton and expresses himself by tattoos. Well, anyone can get a tattoo. That isn't very meaningful or difficult. But raising a family is rather difficult and isn't for cowards. Yes, food and tattoos are part of life, but that is not the essence of humanity.

Lastly, is the point of existence really copulation? One again, Hollywood says yes (Bicentennial Man, Peggy Sue Got Married). But why is the meaning of life to be found in abed or in a red light district. Something strange is afoot since we tend to laugh at people who are over-sexed. It would have been ice to see Cage raise a family like Nathaniel Messenger. Just Cage and Ryan would be a lonely family.

TWIST AT END: I didn't see it coming. Yes, it seems a bit formulaic, but sonnets are formulaic too--same rhyme scheme, same numbers of lines. But that didn't stop Shakespeare or Camoens, or Browning, now did it!

ODDS AND ENDS: I like how the movie showed the other angels in the background. So we are not really alone, and neither are the angels. A nice touch was the diversity of races among the angels, having the same variety in heaven as in earth. Andre Braugher (Cassiel) is wonderful as a mentor. He is not as intense as Samuel Jackson or Laurence Fishburn, and appeared quite calm as his angel was struggling with the question of falling. Although I though it was predictable to have an African-America as the mentor. It is part of the new Hollywood trend of having a "Black Man's Burden" of educating the whites (See The Legend of Bagger Vance, Bedazzled, Family Man. Sam Jackson on the Jedi Counsel is NOT "Black Man's Burden"-- his role could have been played by any race, any gender, or even a muppet).

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: The best supernatural romance since "Ghost."
Review: There is an offbeat sense of style and passion which sets "City of Angels" apart from most other romantic films, a sense that comes from the movie's refusal to cast flashy, young stars amidst a cliched plotline. Instead, the film enhances a highly original story through two very enticing leads, Meg Ryan and Nicolas Cage, who have a pulsating chemistry that is intrical to the overall effect of the film. Director Brad Silberling's visual style and an enigmatic soundtrack all converge to create one of the best romances of all time.

The story begins by introducing us to Seth, an angel who brings freshly dead souls to Heaven ("I always asked them what they liked best about life"). He is not alone on Earth: there are many other angels on the planet, circulating throughout the city of Los Angeles in black trenchcoats, making their way to the beach to watch the sunset... heck, their local hangout is the public library. We are witness to many different situations, deaths and one convenience store robbery, where the angels interact in order to instill their sense of calm over people.

Seth is a very complex character, his charming and calm attitude and his handsome looks making him an ideal angel. On his arrival to take a dead hospital patient to Heaven, he meets eyes with Maggie, or thinks he does (she can't see him), and he is immediately drawn to her beauty. He later learns that if he wants her to see him, then she will in her own time, which, fortunately for him, is sooner rather than later. Maggie does not believe in angels or God, so the many strange occurances that surround her meeting and her getting to know Seth will test her faith in her beliefs.

Of course, this big question is whether or not they will end up together in the end. This is something that the movie toys with immensely as it examines the relationship between Seth and Maggie, which is more fragile than you would think. Maggie's insecurities about her newfound love and Seth's naivety of the ways of human life provide some heartwarming and sometimes tear-jerking moments which further enhance the bond between them. And once Maggie finds out about his origins, the relationship takes an entirely different avenue, which I'll leave you to discover on your own.

There is a nice amount of chemistry between the two lead acting talents. Nicolas Cage is the perfect choice for Seth: his angelic looks and his sensitive demeanor evoke feelings of serenity and calmness while the audience is graced by his onscreen presence. His character is very complex when it comes to making new discoveries about life, and Cage brings out all of the confusion quite convincingly. Meg Ryan is outstanding, as always, in her role of Maggie, who is required to experience big shows of emotion. Ryan does this superbly, and one scene that comes to mind takes place in an empty hospital stairwell, where Maggie cries for her patient. This scene gives the actors a chance to show what they are really made of, while subtly bringing to life to budding chemistry between the two that will culminate later on.

Two supporting roles of this film also add to the movie's story. Dennis Franz plays a fallen angel who chose to leave his heavenly status for a woman he fell in love with, and once he meets Seth, he begins explaining his experiences to his new friend in order to help him get a grip on his feelings. Andre Braugher plays Seth's confidant angel, who helps him keep his head on his shoulders. Both of these characters offer interesting insight and element into the secret life of angels, which makes us think of what really does exist out there.

The overall sense of style and grace that the movie charms us with seems a bit more sophisticated than most romantic films. The images are easy on the eyes: we are given everything at a steady pace, which allows us to pay more attention to the love story. Silberling's brilliant shots tell the story in such intricate and enlightening ways. Tight shots of the actors bring us more into the emotion of the film, while beautiful beach shots of the sunrise as underwater filming are breathtaking. Seth's "fall" will certainly be talked about for its wonderful composition: there is such a momentus amount of intensity and awe in that moment, which makes it one of the film's defining turning points.

The soundtrack is also a major key element to the success of this film. Most of the music centers around the theme of loneliness, wanting someone back, and (what else?) angels. The most evocative song of the film is Sarah McLachlan's "Angel," which rings outs its haunting melodies and meaningful lyrics to a scene that practically melts my heart. The score for the film, done by Gabriel Yared, combines new age influences with modern beats that keep it interesting and emotional. The score certainly fits the film, as do the many songs.

I deeply enjoyed "City of Angels." This is a movie that I can sit through and not have to worry about bashing: it has all the classical elements of a romance with a new twist, which is carried out meticulously by superb acting and a tremendous directorial effort. This is the best supernatural romance since "Ghost."

Rating:
Summary: THE Love Story
Review: If you love Nicolas Cage, go get this movie! If you love Meg Ryan, go get this movie! If you love LOVE STORIES, go get this movie!

This is a wonderful story, wonderful effects, great music (OST) and wonderful actors...

The best of the best of all of this is that this movie touches you from the inside... it makes you appreciate so many things in life that we take for granted and do not appreciate.

As humans THANK GOD we can touch, smell, taste as well as see and hear. We might have thought that the most important senses are see & hear... but this movie shows how great it is to be able to touch (like the scene of Nicolas Cage's feet getting wet in the water) ...etc.

In other words, in combination of all what was said; this movie helps you appreciate L I F E, L O V E and cheers you up.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Movie!
Review: My best friend recommended this film to me, and I must say, she has taste! Cage and Ryan co- star in this fabulous movie about a pragmatic heart surgeon who falls in love with an angel who must make the life changing choice of becoming human or staying immortal. This DVD is extremely poetic, with fantastic sound and typically wonderful acting. The tear- jerking ending serves as a reminder to us all of how good it is to be alive!

Rating:
Summary: Giving up Immortality for Heaven on Earth....
Review: "All God's angels come to us disguised...." -James Russell Lowell

When we think of angels, we think of light, power, comfort, healing, goodness, wisdom, loveliness and protection. We think of celestial beings who we think of with wonder.

In this movie the angels are much more human, in fact, Nicolas Cage chooses to become human and gives up his immortality in order to be with his true love.

This movie is terribly romantic and is a real tear jerker. The ending shows how wonderful it is to be human and to be alive.

This movie is SO sad! Women will love it. I watched it with two girlfriends and we were all passing around the box of tissues!

"If...we would cast the gift of a lovely thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give." -George Macdonald

Rating:
Summary: It Was A Little Too Heartwarming and Heartbreaking
Review: He can remain an angel and live forever. Or he can forsake his imortality and become human - on the chance that she might love him. Romance gets its wings when Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan headline a soaring tale of tenderness and devotion.

Rating:
Summary: A Window To Another Realm Of Being
Review: His name is Seth; he knows neither pain nor fear, hears music in the sunset and is eternal. Though he lacks the capacity to employ olfactory and physical senses, he knows our world, but is not of it. And he is but one of many whose presence is manifested in the beautifully lyrical film, "City Of Angels," directed by Brad Silberling and starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan. Seth (Cage) is an angel, one of an infinite number of angels with the singular purpose of presiding over the living; helping with a decision, intervening when necessary and facilitating and easing the moment of transition from life in this world to that of the afterlife. All of which is established in a poignant opening scene, wonderfully presented, in which Seth appears to a little girl who is about to expire in the ER. He watches and waits, and when it is time she goes to him, leaving her body behind and, reassured by his benevolent presence, accompanies him as he escorts her to her new place. It's a moment of sadness and joy combined, and it plays out at a deliberate pace that casts an aura of serenity as Seth quietly addresses the concerns of his ward, explaining that it will be hard for her mother at first, but that eventually she will understand and accept what has happened. It's a tranquil moment that sets the mood for the entire film, and as the scene ends, with Seth and the little girl walking away, hand in hand, he asks her what it was she liked the best; and as she answers, the scene fades. A good director will let you know in the first few minutes of a film what to expect from what follows, and Silberling, with this adaptation of Wim Wenders' "Wings Of Desire" has done just that. From the opening scene right up to the end, this film maintains a sense of peace, even as it explores the complexities of the modern world and those who dwell therein. It's a thought-provoking fantasy that examines the nature of angels, but more than that, offers an expanded perspective of the nature of the world in which we live. Through Seth we must ponder an existence that affords everything, including immortality, yet at the same time denies everything; an existence that affords the essence of love but denies the actual experience of knowing and having real love, as mortals do. And what of the price one must pay to know that kind of love? What is one willing to sacrifice? It's a film that, beyond the romantic aspects of the cohesive storyline, poses questions and considerations about the very nature of the lives we lead, day in and day out; what it all means and where it's taking us. And about the decisions we must make along the way, and the consequences thereof. If ever a perfect call was made in casting an actor for a role, it was casting Nicolas Cage as Seth; he has a natural expression that utterly captures the essence of the character, and Silberling uses it to optimum advantage. Cage fairly implodes into Seth, lending the character a depth that resonates with nuance and emotion. The subtle restraint he uses serves to ignite an ethereal sense of life, of "being," that so succinctly defines his true nature, the benevolence he personifies. It's a giving, compassionate performance that is truly transporting, and the most significant factor in the success of the film. Another important factor as well, is Meg Ryan's performance as Dr. Maggie Rice, in whom she imbues a strength that ultimately garners the sympathy through which the necessary connection with the audience is made. And that connection is a pivotal point, ultimately upon which the overall success of the film depends, and she delivers faultlessly. In a supporting role, Dennis Franz does a memorable turn as the likeable Nathaniel Messenger, a man with a unique past from whom Seth learns an important lesson. Rounding out the supporting cast are Andre Braugher (Cassiel), Colm Feore (Jordan), Robin Bartlett (Anne), Joanna Merlin (Teresa), Sarah Dampf (Susan) and Rhonda Dotson (Susan's Mother). There are a multitude of rewards to be reaped from "City Of Angels," among them an uplifting sense of hope and the inner calm derived thereof; but it's something to which you must open yourself up and allow entrance. It's a film that is both entertaining and enlightening, that will take you to a place rarely visited. It's the magic of the movies, affording you an experience you should not let pass you by.

Rating:
Summary: You'll never meet a more perverted Angel¿
Review: Nicolas Cage deserves an Oscar for some of the funniest facial expressions you will EVER see. City of Angels is a beautiful story about an Angel who'd rather live an isolated existence with a gorgeous doctor (Meg Ryan) than stand on Skyscrapers with a nerdy sidekick and consulate people's souls. His self-indulging unholy fantasy is mine too. He meets her at the hospital after taking someone's soul to heaven. Soon after the stalking begins. He follows her wherever she goes and just stares at her with these intense looks of desperation and envy- as if he would do anything to be with her. His expressions capture exactly how I feel when I meet a loving, intelligent, and sexy woman. Meg even gets better with age. However, his plan is worth nothing without her love in return. One special moment occurs when she's begs him to show himself to talk to her. She is very distraught and he just remains invisible, staring at her in this poignant condition. Until, that is, she disrobes, when he magically appears. It's beautiful. He skips all the makeup junk and still gets her love. Only an Angel could pull that one off. Now in order to live with Meg, he must give up his wings. His sidekick pleas for him to stay an Angel by showing him that he'd give up music every morning along the beach with other Angels. But who wouldn't rather wake up every morning with Meg next to you? I'd rather be human than Angel too, if I could have that. If a guy as goofy looking as Nick gets a chance like this, he won't pass on it. Finally the action in the cabin mimics my expressions too, if that could happen to me. This is a funny impression of afterlife that can win most men sensitivity points if they watch it with a girlfriend or date. However, you must hold back the laughter and talk very seriously about it. And don't think because an Angel sees a woman as an object that you should too. Rent this one it's not worth buying.