758. Der Himmel über Berlin

Der Himmel über Berlin
Wings of Desire
1987
Directed by Wim Wenders

I remember one of my writing professors urging us to see this film as she was trying to get us to have more political meaning in our work.  Although that was my first class writing fiction and as I could barely come up with plots at that point, maybe she should have set her sights a little lower.  Anyway, when I finally did see this, I was disappointed about how over the top and melodramatic it was.

Invisible, immortal angels populate Berlin.  They observe and comfort lonely people, but they seem to be sadder than any human, as they are always on the outside looking in.  One of the angels who longs to be mortal falls in love with a trapeze artist.

So yes, this was film was beautiful.  But it is also quite a demanding movie.  Wenders is constantly hitting us over the head with metaphors and having characters utter lines that are supposed to make us cry.  I found the experience to be exhausting, rather like going to see a ballet.  I just prefer something a bit less sappy.

Still, undeniably a gorgeous film, just decidedly in the "not for me" category.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Basis for the American film City of Angels with Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan.  What a lovely cast...

712. Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas

1984

Directed by Wim Wenders

This is one of those films that I thought would be brilliant but would ultimately bore the hell out of me.  I was surprised by how mediocre I found the actual movie to be and I am a bit confused as to how it ended up on The List.

Travis Henderson abandoned his family and wandered around the desert for years, wanting to escape his life.  After collapsing from dehydration and being treating by a doctor, he reconnects with his brother (who has been raising Travis' son during the his jaunt in the South Texas).  Travis also attempts to rebuild relationships with his son and his ex wife.

Well, I was right about it being boring.  But wow, how cheesy was that film.  I would like a psychologist to examine this movie because the way Travis' son behaved seemed so unrealistic that it was just ridiculous.  Even the title got on my nerves, which contained such obvious symbolism that I almost felt like the filmmakers had phoned it in.

Perhaps I am being too harsh.  Okay, I know I am being too harsh.  But we have had such good movies recently that it is difficult not to bitch.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Kurt Cobain's favorite film.

628. Der amerikanische Freund

Der amerikanische Freund
The American Friend
1977
Directed by Wim Wenders

German cinema continues to impress with another fantastic film.  Is there anything Germans can't do right??  Oh wait.

Dennis Hopper plays Tom Ripley, a rich American who is involved in an art forgery scheme.  Ripley is approached by a French gangster (they have those?) who wants him to murder a rival.  Ripley suggests that Jonathan Zimmerman is better suited for the job.  Zimmerman is an everyman who is dying of a blood disease.  Will bromance bloom?  Watch to find out!  Or just spoil it for yourself on Wikipedia.

Excuse the cliche, but this film was really a feast for the eyes.  I was in complete awe of the shots in this film. Although clearly they didn't creatively inspire me too much, as all I can come with to describe them is tired phrases.  Truly a visual masterpiece...okay, I'm done.

So a very beautiful, exciting movie.  I have a slight problem with Dennis Hopper (is he ever not a sleaze?) but other than that, highly recommended.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The actors had to use real guns in the assassination scene because the filmmakers couldn't afford fake ones.

Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper got in a fist fight on set.