Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot. Miles: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm l...
Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot. Miles: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any f*****g Merlot!
Member since:03.02.2004
Reviews:36
Members who trust:20
Director: Brad Siberling
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, Dennis Franz, Andre Braugher
Story: Seth, one of many celestials who cast a watchful eye over the ‘City of Angels’, becomes infatuated with a young doctor called Maggie. As his feelings toward her intensify he realises that he will have to make a life changing decision...
Based loosely on ‘’Wings of desire’, Wim Wenders angelical tale, ‘City of Angels’ is an Americanised, modern day take on Wender’s original masterwork. The first thing that grabs you is the films’ depiction of Los Angeles. Siberling draws the viewer into a warm, inviting L.A. which is intoxicated with atmospheric ambience. Flickering rays of sunshine reflecting off high rises, accompanied with shots of angels gracefully strolling atop the cities dizzy heights, create a breathtaking, panoramic vision of a chaotic, urban jungle.
Cage is Seth, an angel whose inner desire to feel and touch like a human spirals out of control once he lays eyes on Maggie (Ryan). Seth is a naive, almost comatose character who explores the work of Ernest Hemingway while wishing for his curiosity to get the better of him. He questions fellow angel Cassiel (Braugher) on what it would be like, for even a single day, to breathe the life of a human. Looking all doe-eyed, Cage fits the part well, bringing a down to earth, innocent nature to a role which seems as if its been intentionally written for him.
The woman he falls for (literally) is Maggie, a skilled young doctor who, after losing a patient in a seemingly straightforward op, begins to lose her self belief and therefore questions the motives of fate. If everything in life and death is out of her hands, then why is she here? What can she do? Maggie’s attraction to Seth is immediate, though it feels misguided and hurried. Her willingness to confide in Seth is developed far too quickly when a slower, more interesting build up would have sufficed. However Ryan’s warmth and magnetism carry the story’s’ more implausible segments through, once again proving herself as the queen of Hollywood romance.
Once they fall for each other, the film explores who we are and what we believe, with Maggie’s refusal to accept that Seth is indeed a messenger of God. The truth scares her and ultimately affects her fragile emotional state. Whereas the film is dragged down with this sentimentality, it is given a welcome boost with the presence of Mr Messengr (Franz). In a scene stealing role, Franz adds a touch of humour playing a sick patient who knows a lot more about Seth then he’s willing to let on.
City of Angels major downfall is its carefree attitude toward the exploration of themes such as life and how much we control our own destiny. The film is prepared to pose questions about death and fate, but merely scratches the surface when answering them. The script just doesn’t delve deep enough. Because of this the film loses its grip plot wise in the closing chapter. While the conclusion of the story should be applauded for its intentions, it just doesn’t feel justified and will leave even the most foregoing of viewers discontented. It’s a real shame because it feels disjointed from what had gone before.
Still, there’s a lot to like here. Cage and Ryan are good and carry the film admirably. The supporting cast are up to scratch even though they are merely there for personal guidance. The soundtrack is also worthy of note. While not being particularly outstanding or original, it fits in with the tone of the film perfectly. City of Angels is an intriguing, sometimes wonderfully enchanting tale and, apart from a few grievances, manages to push all the right romantic buttons. A good tearjerker then, sadly let down by a hollow ending.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Some critics complained thatCity of Angelscould never compare to Wim Wenders's exquisite ... more
German filmWings of Desire, which served as the later film's primary inspiration. The better argument to make is that any such comparisons are beside the point, be...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Some critics complained thatCity of Angelscould never compare to Wim Wenders's exquisite ... more
German filmWings of Desire, which served as the later film's primary inspiration. The better argument to make is that any such comparisons are beside the point, be...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Nicolas Cage is Seth an angel who must decide if he'll forsake his immortality and become ... more
human - on the chance that the woman of his dreams might love him. That woman is Maggie (Meg Ryan) a pragmatic heart surgeon who doesn't believe in angels. Unti...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
What if angels walked among us, and one of them fell in love with one of us?Two of the ... more
brightest stars in the Hollywood constellation spark the biggest romance under the heavens in 'City of Angels', 'a lyrical, unabashedly romantic film [that] earns it...
Advantages: Moving/touching - makes you think, great performances, great musical score/soundtrack Disadvantages: None, apart from perhaps the ending might irk some, not for very cynical people
IzzyS 26.08.2008 (26.08.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of City Of Angels (DVD)
![City Of Angels [DVD] [1998]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78532535.jpg "City Of Angels [DVD] [1998]")
Feb 7th, 2004
exceptional by (2%):
very helpful by (87%):
helpful by (11%):
