Wings of Desire

West German director Wim Wenders picked up the Best Director award at Cannes in 1987 for this sumptuously filmed fantasy about two angels, Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander), who spend their time watching and listening to the troubles of the people of Berlin--observing unseen, but also powerless to intervene. Photographed in stunning black-and-white, the film shifts to bright color when Damiel decides he wants to trade in his wings for a shot at human love with a trapeze artist (Solveig Dommartin) and awakens in the land of the living. Ultimately, a deeply moving portrait in human sadness and frailty, Wings of Desire is of particular interest to librarians since the angels all congregate at the public library, sitting dejected on the balconies swinging their legs, or just looking over the shoulders of readers. Also of note: Peter Falk, who has a delightful role playing himself as an actor on a movie set (but also happens to be one of the fallen angels). Presented in a handsome widescreen transfer with default Dolby Digital 2.0 sound (and Dolby Digital 5.1--though it's not listed on the DVD jacket--available in the "subtitles" menu), this "special edition" is loaded with extras, including a solid commentary track by Wenders (who is joined by Falk), a 43-minute retrospective documentary, and deleted scenes. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD/Blu-ray Review—Oct. 27, 2009—Criterion, 127 min., in German, English & French w/English subtitles, PG-13, DVD: 2 discs, $39.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1987's Wings of Desire sports a great transfer with DTS-HD on Blu-ray, and Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD. DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary with director Wim Wenders and costar Peter Falk, 'The Angels Among Us' 2003 retrospective featurette (43 min.), deleted scenes (32 min.), excerpts from 1982's Remembrance: Film for Curt Bois (30 min.) by costars Bruno Ganz and Otto Sander, excerpts from the 1985 documentary 'Alekan la lumiere' on cinematographer Henri Alekan (27 min.), 'Wim Winders Berlin Jan. 87' from an episode of Cinema cinemas (10 min.), an interview with Alekan (10 min.), outtakes (7 min.), a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a luminous film.]