djfrost-46786 I really liked it back in the day. Good love story. Still kinda average movie.

Predrag 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! "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.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.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

Ruairidh MacVeigh This is an... interesting little film, and certainly a curious one. While many consider it to be a dumbing down of the movie it was based on, the 1987 art-house film called 'Wings of Desire', there still are a few touching elements to this film that keep it afloat. But at the same time there are a lot of things that really don't do it any justice.So what's the sketch? Nicolas Cage plays an Angel named Seth, who, like the other Angels, watch over humanity and act in many different ways to protect them. In one of their many roles, Seth plays the Angel of Death, taking the spirits of those who have passed and guiding them to everlasting paradise. Whilst overlooking the desperate attempts of a surgeon named Maggie (played by Meg Ryan) to give a man life-threatening surgery, he is amazed by her determination to keep the man alive, even though her efforts are ultimately in vain. Seth soon forms an attachment to her, and makes himself known, soon desiring to give up his Angelic stature to become human so he can live his life with his new found love.First, let's talk about the bad stuff. Nicolas Cage, although a very good actor, wouldn't have been my first choice. He doesn't really look or sound the part, my preference being to him in action movies such as the Rock and Con-Air. His scenes come off less romantic and more, well, creepy. Meg Ryan plays her part well though as the determined surgeon, pulling off her lines and role in a way you can find believable.The next big problem is the story, which is quite literal and not particularly subtle. Although there are quiet moments and subtle scenes in it, these are offset by Seth taking a literal fall from a tall building to denote his Fallen Angel status, truncated moments later by a brutal mugging. The ultimate goal of Seth is also a bit more 'shallow' to my mind, with his motivation to be with Maggie not being based on a long lasting and loving relationship, but immediately with them losing their clothes and making friendly under the covers. Indeed sex is one of the most serious commitments to any relationship short of marriage, it does seem like a bit of a rush to that particular finishing line, which I found rather jarring.But what about good stuff, of which there is quite a bit. The emotional scenes are played really quite well, especially the death of a young girl at the beginning and her guidance to Heaven by Seth, as well as a tragic but somewhat predictable passing later in the movie.But for me the best part of this entire movie is the soundtrack, with the absolute gem that is Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls being well worth the price of admission!So, to summarise, this movie is really a movie with its heart in the right place, but some of the routes taken to that particular heart being a little, well, risky. Whilst Nicolas Cage, the unsubtle nature of the story and some of the predictability can take you out of it, the emotional scenes, human interaction and that fantastic soundtrack was enough to see me through this film!Definitely a brain-disengaged movie, but a good film for a rainy Saturday afternoon!

FlashCallahan Seth is an angel who accompanies the spirits of the recently dead. Seth has never been human, so has never experienced touch or taste. He comes across Dr. Maggie Rice, a brilliant young heart surgeon who is devoted to her profession and her patients. Seth has the power to let himself be seen but Maggie finds him far too mysterious. He also meets a patient, Nathaniel Messinger, who has news for him - he too was once an angel like Seth but chose to fall to Earth and become human for love. Seth makes a decision on his future, which does not turn out as he had expected....If you really want to get soppy with your loved one, then this is one of those movies that will guarantee tears come the end of the film, as its one of those films that ticks every box in the romance genre.Made at the height of his career, when every film he made struck gold, Cage plays Seth with puppy dog eyes for the duration of the movie, and every mortal thing is amazing to him, but, he's really good at his role.Ryan is Ryan, playing the ditzy surgeon with so many choices and decisions after a tragedy. But Franz carries the movie and brings much needed warmth and love to the whole film, because if he wasn't included, the film would feel very sterilised and machine like.Seeing the film years later though did get me asking questions I wouldn't normally such as, what will happen to Seth? The guy has no financial stability, qualifications, or skills. I know its petty, but see the film with this in mind.The other thing is that Seth can be a little creepy at times, literally getting in Ryan's face and just following her about, the stalker angel if you would.But all in all, its a love story given the Hollywood spin, Wings Of Desire is a much better film, but this is still good stuff, even if its by the numbers.