Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders, 1987): West Germany/France

Reviewed by Kevin Tran. Viewed on DVD.

There are some movies that just make you happy to be alive. Wings of Desire is one of these films, and does it in the most interesting ways. The film centers around two angels wandering in a mixture of post-war and modern Berlin. Invisible to humans, they give their help and comfort to all the depressed souls they meet. One of the angels becomes unhappy with his immortal state and wishes to become human in order to experience the joys of everyday life. He meets a circus acrobat and finds in her the fulfillment of all his mortal desires. He also discovers that he is not alone in making this cross over.

The film is beautiful. Partly because of Henri Alekan’s stunning cinematography; partly because of its wonderful blending of WWII archival footage, black and white, and color images; but primarily, its due to Wenders’ dreamlike camera movements. The combination creates a wondrous mood and environment that his lonely characters inhabit. The plot meanders and really does nothing for Peter Handke, Richard Reitinger, and Wenders’ existential themes. Although, the film is still a unique idea that borrows from Bergman’s Seventh Seal and is inspiration for Kieslowski’s Decalogue. An invention that focuses on the lives of ordinary people and are combined with the world of mythological characters.

The film is a rather bleak observation on human beings. Yet, it’s most optimistic character in the film is Damiel, the angel who wants to be a human and gets that opportunity. He yearns to feel weight on his feet or to smell a flower, to have feelings of heartbreak and desires like the rest of us. His performance is so sincere that he makes you want to enjoy every breath you breathe. More importantly, the film encourages one combat the elements that life offers – its heartaches and agonies – to embrace the pain and to feel human. It’s an peculiar way to look at life, but a wonderful and lovely way to enjoy it.