City of Angels
Director: Brad Silberling
Screenplay: Dana Stevens based on the film Wings
of Desire
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, Andre Braugher,
Dennis Franz, Colm Feore
John's Review
Mystical and moving this film is a surprisingly
successful remake. Seth (Cage) is a near-perfect angel longing to touch and cuddle Maggie
(Ryan), eventually sacrificing his career as invisible listener and harbinger of death.
More artsy than Ghost, with gorgeous visuals, angels play a bit like postmodern Supermen.
This idea of the angels plays out almost like Todd McFarlane's comic book corporate
immortals, always dressed in long black overcoats and meeting together everyone morning
and evening. But ultimately, this is no comic book thanks to the ambitious vison of
director Brad Silberling and writers Wenders and Dana Stevens.
Dewy-eyed angel Seth, in his earthly wanderings, mainly through
libraries and on top of high rises, spots a blonde cardiovascular surgeon, Maggie, and
falls in love. Even by angelic standards, Seth is a tad on the feminine side and, well,
Maggie is definitely masculine. She's aggressive, driven, cold, analytical and aloof,
except when she cries over losing a patient. In short, the only thing appealing about the
pert doctor is that she, well, quite frankly, looks like Meg Ryan.
Seth's essential void of being has been narrowed from a
philosophical/psychological/romantic angst to the mere scope of a generic Hollywood movie
plot line. Admittedly, there's nothing wrong with that. In essence, screenwriter Dana
Stevens' adaptation of Wings of Desire, which consists mainly of moving the
romance to the forefront, thins the rich excellence of the story's wonderful premise.
Similarly, Silberling's literal rendering of the cold, expressionistic
aspects of Wenders' film implants this work with a conflicting, dual personality; it's
neither a very satisfying romance nor a substantive philosophical piece.
Unforunately the film is not quite sure what it wants to be. Although
it is enjoyable it does not have the typical Hollywood ending. Which is
refreshing for a change. I would've liked more philisophical subject matter and less of
the opposites-attract love story. The acting is above par, with the best performances by
Dennis Franz as a patient who knows Seth's real nature and identity and Andre Braugher's
beatific angel.
Overall I liked the film, I just thought it lacked in some areas and
needed more in others. A definate tearied-eyed date rental.
Grade: B-
