Rent Wings of Desire (1987)

Very personal and original art film. - Wings of Desire review by Steve

Wender's unique lyrical poem to human spirituality and the experience of being alive, in a wonderful black and white Berlin.

Wenders Beautiful Adaptation of Postwar Berlin - Wings of Desire review by Oli

I've got to 2nd Steves review on this because it is such a wonderful film, not just for German cinema but for all cinema, going into this I'd seen Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders so I had an idea of his brilliance when adapting characters to a big story and creating lots of unique atmosphere, cinematography etc. but this just blew me away! The film starts in black and white as Ganz and Sander playing 2 Angels hovering over a postwar Berlin which looks to be a mixture of many things, certain things to come to mind from this like the bleakness of Berlin and the brilliant dialogue particulary with Ganz accompanying an old man who describes a world forgotten. We are entranced through many memorable shots of postwar Berlin and many civilian thoughts which could probably reflect thoughts of people the viewer knows, accompanied as usual by Wenders by a brilliant soundtrack that perfectly reflects the feeling of the film, the emotion of living here but yet the beauty of it all. Ganzs angel desperately wants to break free from being an angel and feel what the people are feeling having experienced most of it 3rd person, but not 1st person. It'd probably be pointless ruining any more of the film for newcomers but watch it and be amazed by one of cinemas many unique cinematic experiences.

Extraordinary film; a sensitive if existential reflection on what it means to be alive - Wings of Desire review by tm

mostly in black and white, in German French and English with a tiny cast of mesmerising and memorable characters drifting in and out of focus of an ethereal observe who himself desperately wants to be involved.

what is it to be vulnerable?

what is it to really allow yourself to feel?

is the joy worth the pain?

do we dare?

these are the questions asked by one of the most moving films I have ever seen.

if you like sitting on a deserted beach, staring out to sea, alone and quietly, then this is the film for you.

warning:

I suspect you do have to be in the mood for this film which, on a rushed day or squeezed in between events on a cold night, might seem a challenge to ones patience.