First, a warning: Anna and I really like Wings of Desire, the Wim Wenders' film upon which City of Angels was based and while the latter is plenty sweet and Cage is often adorable, it was going to have to be sublime in order for it to cast its wings over the memory of the former. It's good alright, but it doesn't have Columbo in it and Wings of Desire does. So, basically, sorry if this review seems a little disingenuous, but I hope it raises a smile or two anyway!
Aw thanks a bundle! :D I was a bit nervous posting it up here tbh because I know a lot of members feel very fondly about it and the love of Wings of Desire created a necessary bias.
Also, it must be noted when I call Nic's voice 'monotonous' I don't mean boring, but that his voice is much more flat than usual, without its unusual pauses and wild intonations!
I want to see Wings of Desire some time, I 've heard so much about it.
I had to laugh at the slightly creepy angel slasher comment, I call it stalker angel and it kind of makes me wince a little when I watch COA.
I think of this movie as porn for women. Seth is like a woman's fantasy of the perfect man, and being an angel he has developed no human flaws, and can be molded to what the woman wants and desires.
I want to see Wings of Desire some time, I 've heard so much about it.
You really should, it's a remarkable film. It's astonishingly atuned to the crackle and thrum of sensory life; the cool, smooth, weight of stones; the joy of a good Nick Cave record. Also the cinematography is by Henri Alekan, Jean Cocteau's old cinematographer, which means the whole films (especially when shot in black & white) looks soft, yet crisp, with shots like:
Also, thanks again guys for the kind words!
-- Edited by Sprocket on Tuesday 9th of November 2010 03:49:46 PM
Hi sprocket, ooh I do love your dance with language...very beautiful. Lol, you are a brave one indeed! But the space is wide open for all views and experiences of movies and I found yours an interesting read, although it differs from my own in several ways.
for me it's not the tone of voice or the eyes ( though I happen to love both in this movie ) it's the quintessential invisible element which I experienced as 'other worldly', as both paradoxically utterly innocent, pure and open and at the same time slightly (but only a tiny bit) scary. In ancient literature angels are often described as 'awesome' and to me that word not only encompasses rapture and beauty and that celestial light but something enthralling and alien and powerful and unknown...an unspoken energy. Seth I felt had that in bucket loads, but it was conveyed in an understated way, which I thought was very magical. being an angel lover i come at it from my own possibly distorted perspective too...and I liked the way after some initial resistance, the angels were contextualised in a modern day city!
Thank you for sharing another of your fantastic reviews Sprocket, they always inspire!