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Wings of Desire
EMAILPRINTMGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 9 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 4 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama | Fantasy | Foreign | Romance
Written by:
Peter Handke
Richard Reitinger
Wim Wenders
Directed by: Wim Wenders
Release Date:
Theatrical: May 6, 1988
DVD: January 11, 2005
Running Time: 127 minutes, B/W / Color
Origin: West Germany / France
Language(s): German / English / French (with English subtitles)
Summary
RATING: PG-13
Starring Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois, Peter Falk, Hans Martin Stier, Elmar Wilms, and Sigurd Rachman
Wim Wenders directed this enchanting fantasy about an angel who, while wandering unseen through West Berlin, falls in love with a beautiful circus performer and decides to become human. (MGM)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Beyond the Clouds Buena Vista Social Club City of Angels Don't Come Knocking Land of Plenty The Million Dollar Hotel
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Astonishing things happen and symbolism can only work by being apparent. For me, the film is like music or a landscape: It clears a space in my mind, and in that space I can consider questions. (Review of Original Release)
Read Full Review >Variety Staff (Not credited)
Wim Wenders returns to Germany with a sublimely beautiful, deeply romantic film for our times. (Review of Original Release)
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
Wings is a soaring vision that appeals to the senses and the spirit. (Review of Original Release)
Read Full Review >Time Richard Corliss
Wings of Desire works hard to be both an essay and a love story, a mural and an intimate portrait. To savor this film, the viewer must work hard too. But when the artists behind the screen and the angels in the audience meet, it's like a smoke and coffee: fantastic! (1998 May 9, p. 79)
Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
The conceit gets a little out of hand after one of the angels falls in love with the trapeze artist and decides to become human; but prior to this, Wings of Desire is one of Wenders's most stunning achievements.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray
Though Wings Of Desire has a classic look, its mood and style is New Wave in every sense of the term. The synthesis of deep thought, leisurely pacing, and stunning visuals is in the spirit of work by the young European filmmakers of the '60s and '70s. (Reviewed in 2003 for DVD Release)
Read Full Review >Washington Post Rita Kempley
An ingratiating West German "Heaven Can Wait." (Review of Original Release)
Read Full Review >The New Republic Stanley Kauffmann
Its very existence as a film sets up expectations that wouldn't exist within a book -- another reason I'd bet that there would be more pleasure in reading the screenplay. I can't remember ever thinking that previously about a film. (1998 May 23, p. 26)
The New York Times Elvis Mitchell
Startlingly original at first, Wings of Desir' is in the end damagingly overloaded. The excesses of language, the ceaseless camera movement, the unyielding whimsy have the ultimate effect of wearing the audience down. (Review of Original Release)
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 10.0 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
aaron L gave it a10:
One of the best movies of all time. Extremely poetic. beautiful and sarcastic at the same time in its vision of the human plight. You cannot watch this movie and not think deeply about our deepest desires and goals on earth and about what humanity means.
Keith B gave it a10:
I remember seeing this movie during a summer program and prior to its showing, the presenter mentioned that dinner was already in progress. Those who wanted to eat could leave, but risk missing an incredible art film. My friends left, but I stayed and watched it. This is one of the most intimate, serene, delicate and stunningly beautiful movies I have ever seen in my life. It is truly a testament about the power of love and the human spirit; this movie is inspirational in every sense. It does not profess any moral or lesson, but allows the viewer to be enveloped in its elegance and pure, innocent statement about humanity. Anyone who views this film will leave it with a refreshed feeling of contentment.
Patrick D. gave it a10:
Amazing and inspirational!
