Customer Reviews

City of Angels [VHS]

5 star:		(190)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(42)
2 star:		(28)
1 star:		(33)

 

 

Nicolas Cage gives a wonderful performance as Seth, an Angel who falls in love and begins to long for the ability to express that love, in a film that in some respects resembles the 1930's film "Death Takes a Holiday" with Fredric March and Evelyn Veneble. Seth's assignment as an angel is to help the dead cross over in this quasi remake of the Wim Wenders foreign film, "Wings of Desire." Few films since the glory days of Hollywood and the old studio system have been given the romantic glow of this film.

Meg Ryan is Maggie, the heart surgeon who is the object of Seth's affection. He is stunned when she somehow senses his prescence when trying to save one of her patients, and is touched and bewildered by her. Andre Braugher steals every scene he is in as Seth's fellow Angel and friend. They all hang out at the library and gather every morning at the beach to see the sunrise and hear the singing of heaven.

Dennis Franz has a fine turn as a patient in Maggie's hospital who knows Seth is there because he too was once an Angel. As Seth and he become friends, Seth contemplates how wonderful it would be to truly love Maggie, and searches for the courage to leave heaven behind and, simply fall.

This is one of the most romantic movies to come out of Hollywood in decades and has a message about the wonderful things we all take for granted. More than that, it is a story about the importance of love, even one felt for only a moment, for it is that experience which makes us special among all creation. To love is all, and to be loved in return is truly divine.

There are some memorable scenes in this romantic and haunting film. One involves the simple act of shopping for fruit at a farmer's market. Another involves Maggie being able to feel Seth in her room but unable to see him. Even Hemingway's Moveable Feast plays a part in this magical throwback film to a bygone era. This is very much a film which could just as easily have been made in the 1930's.

I will not ruin the last portion of this film if you have not seen it, but as we all know there is a price we pay for being human. This film is for anyone who has ever loved someone as Seth does, who would trade all eternity for just one breath of her hair. If you have ever loved someone so much your heart ached when they were not with you, then you will be deeply moved by this film. It is painted in broad romantic brushstrokes and colored in rich oils not easily removed from our hearts. This is a truly memorable film you will watch over and over.

Films like this are rarely made anymore and this is one to cherish. You will never forget the line: "When they ask me what I liked best...I'll say it was You."

I could go on about how GORGEOUS Meg was, or how well the movie was made, or how great the cast was, but the others have done that already. The one thing that stuck out at me after watching the movie was the call (I felt) to revel in the simple things of life, the things that are common for us, that we take for granted ("touch", for example). I like the part where by lookig through the eyes of the "fallen" angel, you discover the joy of being alive. That's a fresh perspective that caught my attention fully. The movie is very emotional, but at the same time, deep. It doesn't get into melodrama as a lot of other other romantic movies do. All in all, I'd say it is a movie for lovers, but I'd reccommend it to anyone who wants a fresh perspective in life. Awesome soundtrack. Not exactly John Williams stuff, but still touching. You'll cry if you let yourself!

This movie is a priceless work of art: the script, cast, soundtrack, cinematography-- everything! It is also likened to an Aesop's Fable; there is a definite moral/lesson to be learned! (See above title.)

We watch the story of an angel (Seth played by N. Cage) fall in love with a Doctor (Maggie played by M. Ryan) of a heart surgery patient who was not supposed to "make it" and doesn't. While Maggie is trying to save her patient, another nurse says, "He's going." To which she looks dead at Seth and says "He's not going anywhere." Whether she actually sees him or not we don't know. Seth thinks she does; this snowballs his thinking and he begins to question his existence.

Near the end he makes a choice after some counseling from Dennis Frantz. "Free will brother," is his advice. So Seth goes for it. He becomes human and finds Maggie; they share what all humans search for and few find: a physical connection that is so deep it transcends into the spiritual. They are each others' soulmates.

This movie reaches out from the screen and captures your heart (if you still have one. If not, it reaffirms that we all have free will and we can choose to open our hearts to love again.) If you have a broken heart watch how Seth deals with his; truly an inspiration. Remember "some things are true whether you believe them or not."

"Now abide faith, hope, love these three; but the greatest of these is love." From THE HOLY BIBLE, I CORINTHIANS 13:13.

"Did you ever get the feeling that there's something bigger out there, bigger than you?"

'City of Angels'is about an angel who 'falls' in love with a 'human', but is bigger than that. Director Brad Silberling creates a movie about the essence of life. His tools are Academy Award winning director of photography, John Sealeand composer Gaberial Yared to score the movie. Enhancing this movie are two American icons, Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan and a Grammy rich soundtrack which features; Alanis Morrissette (Uninvited), Sarah McLachlan (Angel),Paula Cole (Feelin' Love), Jimi Hendrix (Red House) and the Goo Goo Dolls (Iris).

The celestial love story begins when Seth, Nicolas Cage, the angel, comes to claim the life of a heart patient. Maggie Rice, Meg Ryan, is the patient's doctor. There sult of this loss to Maggie is devastating. She begins to question life itself, "We fight for people's lives...don't you ever wonder who it is we're fighting with?" Witnessing her heartache, Seth tries to comfort,console and heel Maggie, but he too begins to question things. "She looked right at me." He tells his friend Casiel. Leading us to believe he sees more in Maggie than her pain.

Lovely lines of dialog exchange between Seth and Maggie throughout the movie, but few more powerful than their first meeting.

"Are you a visitor?"says Maggie. "Yes." "Well, visiting hours are over." "Why do they have that?" Seth asks. "What? Hours?" "Doesn't it help the patient to be visited?" "Are you in despair?"Seth. "I lost a patient." "You did everything you could?" "People die." Seth "Not on my table." "People die when their bodies give out." "It's my job to keep them from giving out, or what am I doing here?" "It wasn't your fault, Maggie." "I wanted him to live!" "He is living, jus tnot the way that you think."

In Seth's attempt to help Maggie he creates a confusing mess of feelings for her and himself. No spoilers here, but this love story makes us think and wonder. 'City of Angels' is complete and feels like home. Like many things in life that we take for granted... Seth discovers, a sigh, a flower, blood, love and breath. Like a child they are all new to him and they are for a brief moment new to us as well.

Also, like much of life we are always searching and questioning. Seth believes he has found love and has a to choose between God and Life as a mortal. What are your soul searching questions? This movie makes you ask yourself that question.

Through powerfully tuned cinematography and a deeply moving score, City of Angels, the film, is allowed to whisper in your ear. Listen to the rich dialog, harmonious character interaction and robust story telling. It does it with wit and charm. Once seen and heard you will never forget it.

This brings to mind what I believe sums up 'City of Angels' to me, emotion means the movement of the mind brought on by something which affects it...

"Your mind and your feelings become to powerful and you just can't contain it...and your body weeps."

I was affected and I wept.

This is a definate chick flick but it's a good one. I love the chemistry between Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage in here. She plays a Dr and he's an Angel who sees her in the hospital where she works. She can see him but he doesn't let her know his secret. The only way their relationship can grow is if he leaves his 'life' as an angel. He can leave the life of no death, pain and sadness, and trade it for a normal life that humans experience.
They both act really well in this and it was good to see Meg in a more serious role. I cannot go into more depth without giving you the ending, but I have to stress that this is such a beautiful movie (ok a little depressing in parts) but overall so good. You will most probably need tissues; it never fails to make me cry. It's such a beautiful romantic story and an under-rated movie for sure. I love it and it's one of my all time favourites.
PS I love Megs curls in this.

OK, just to get this out of the way up front, this is another review preferring "Wings of Desire" over this glossy remake.

It's not that I utterly detest "City of Angels." The director borrowed well from Wim Wenders' German original, particularly the nifty images of dark-coated angels roaming in this world, not in direct contact with human beings, but still able to influence them. And the leads, Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan and Dennis Franz, are capable actors.

And yet, and yet ... in the end, "City of Angels" is merely about a supernatural being who becomes human just to get into the sack with a pretty woman, overlaid with some homilies tacked on about how much he sacrificed to achieve that state, and everything being worth it no matter what tragedy strikes.
Guess they thought they were brave in giving the movie a sad, yet ultimately uplifting ending, but it falls flat.

In "Wings of Desire," the angel's passion for a certain woman is the precipitating factor for him taking the plunge (quite literally), but it's just the final influence in a long-held desire to experience all the sensations that being human confers. Indeed, we never really see the two "get together," and really, there's no need to. There's also much more of a spiritual dimension in the original as opposed to the pat, feel-good sort of theology tacked on to "City of Angels."

Yes, "Wings of Desire" has a much more deliberate pace than "City of Angels" and it does spin out a lot of philosophy, but don't let that scare you away. You don't need a college degree to enjoy it - just a willingness to take the time and let its subtle spell envelop you.

And I'll bet you'll find the moment in "Wings" when Peter Falk says, "I can't see you," but I know you're there," much more delightful than the same moment Dennis Franz has in "City."

"City of Angels" is not really about angels nor is it a conventional love story. Rather, it is a film of colors, archetypes, symbols and dreams. It is a meticulously constructed filmplay on healing the soul, finding wholeness and spirituality within, accepting what you may not like about yourself, and integrating parts of yourself you may have hidden or put on hold for a while (especially while building a career).

Much symbolism in the film comes from mythology and early Christianity (particularly Gnosticism). Folks who have gone through analysis -- particularly Jungian -- probably see many of the symbols and archetypes immediately. Religious studies professors may be intrigued or intellectually chagrined by the allusions to Gnosticism. But even those of us with such backgrounds will need to see the movie several times before all the images bubble to the surface of consciousness!

The film is heavily laden with symbolism. It drips with it. For me, discovering all the layers turned into a puzzle requiring Jungian-type amplification (digging into the meaning of everything). I am not, however, going to give hints to discovering the "secret knowledge" hidden in the film. One must experience it oneself (a basic Gnostic belief, I have learned).

The good news -- after deconstructing this film beyond reason, I still love it. I love the music (especially the chanting of "Angelus" as Seth "falls"). The archetypes, symbols and hidden meanings do not detract from the story. The story remains is a thing in itself-- a unity. The hidden content does not change the meanings either, but rather allows the viewer a (separate) deeper understanding of human relationships and the healing of the soul.

I recommend this film to psychology and religious studies professors, who could challenge students to find the Gnostic Christian, mythological and Jungian content.

By the way, a deeply Christian viewer need not fear watching the film because of the Gnostic symbolism. The screenwriter(s) clearly place their interpretation of Gnosticism within monotheism and Godliness. There is no evil (no Satan)-- only the shadow figure which all humans carry within.

Maggie is not the reason Seth has "fallen." Both Seth and Maggie are incomplete human beings. They fall in love -- a very magical, profound love -- as mirror images of hidden parts of themselves. At the end, we see that Maggie integrates Seth-ness into herself, and Seth integrates Maggie-ness into himself. And, not to spoil your own journey of discovery, I will leave it at that.

This is a very profound film. Unfortunately it was beyond the critics and everyone else who knights and awards great films.

Meg Ryan plays Maggie, a heart surgeon who grieves over the loss of one of her patients--while Nicholas Cage plays an angel named Seth who shows up to comfort her. Somehow, Maggie is able to see Seth, despite the "rule" that angels are invisible. They fall in love, and Cage must choose between angelic mortality or a human life with Maggie.

The view of the multitude of angels that walk the Earth among humanity is profoundly moving (both philosophically and cinematically)--as are the powerful emotions evoked in this film: grief, love, joy, wonderment...it's all there.

Some great mystical themes in City of Angels include the role and presence of angels, how humans may be guided by an unseen Force, and the transcendent power of love.

To have loved...nothing can be better. This story teaches us the true meaning of love. A tear jerker for the ladies. The reality of life for so many. A film to be added to any romantic's collection.

"City of Angels" opens up the doors of possibility while reflecting upon the realities of life. Every day we walk upon the earth, and most of us move about oblivious to the higher powers that guide us. In the movie, angels are everywhere, mostly unseen.One of the most profound aspects of this film is the portrayal of every range of human emotion, from laughter to grief, love to desperation. Nicolas Cage excels in his role as Seth, the unseen protector, whose desire is not just to observe, but to experience, life.Meg Ryan's Dr. Maggie Rice is driven, but struggles with the tenderness underneath. She feels she must be granite for her colleagues and patients alike, but inside she battles the reality of having emotions and reactions to them.This movie will make you laugh and cry, and if you contemplate its events, you will find that life is as it should be....maybe not fair, but it is real.May the angels watch over you.....