Customer Reviews

Far Away, So Close [Import]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

The world's three great religions incorporate angels as real, created entities, messengers between the world of mortals and God. And movies about angels, both good and bad, will always be messengers of film entertainment. Here's a new to DVD title about a good angel that's worthy of your time.

FAR AWAY, SO CLOSE! is the flip side to "Wings of Desire." Here, instead of desiring to be flesh and blood, the angel seeks to understand why humans have such a hard time experiencing the spiritual. These two films, taken together, offer a stunning and profoundly moving picture of the bittersweet, paradoxical and all-too-brief human experience. Both are of the highest order of mature filmmaking: intelligent, emotional, and visually stunning. They provide a memorable, meaningful and authentic experience about life's deepest mysteries. We are indeed spiritual beings having a human experience.

Although I'd already seen the movie when it was released on VHS some years ago, I purchased this DVD because of the blurb on the back cover mentioning that it contained "Director Wim Wenders' Audio Commentary." It turned out to be just that: Wender's commentary overlaid throughout the full length of the movie. It was like being in the theater with Wender's sitting next to me, explaining every scene and regaling the listener with anecdotes about the movie, its actors, and his experiences as a director. It would be wonderful if more directors did this sort of thing; a feature uniquely suited to DVD's.

Awful film, a total travesty. "Wings of Desire is one of the great films of the 20th century. This is one of the worst. You can hardly believe it is from the same director. A true stinker. Fly from this, take wing......

The success of 'Wings Of Desire' must have prompted Wenders to come up with a sequel. It certainly makes a greater effort at garnishing a wider audience, with the addition of Natassja Kinski, Willem Dafoe & Horst Buchholz to the previous cast. The script also has the novelty of being in 4 different languages.

In 'Wings Of Desire' Bruno Ganz's transformation from angel to human could be seen as a desire by Berliners each side of the wall to overcome their imprisonment from each other. In 'Faraway, So Close', the moral confusion that Otto Sander witnesses when he crashes down from above, mirrors the uneasy turmoil of the new united Berlin. Like an East Berliner untutored in the ways of the West, he stumbles about in an unsophisticated way until his new freedoms begin to overwhelm him and he finds his only refuge in a bottle. Despite all this, he tries to find meaning and do good, but finds that in the new Germany, the only options open to an ex-angel (or an ex-communist) is the criminal underworld.

Although the film starts to lose its way in the final farcical half hour, there are some impressive performances here, especially Horst Buchholz (last seen in 'The Magnificent Seven').

Wenders last great film, his talent has since floundered in making movies with the likes of Mel Gibson.

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

The world's three great religions incorporate angels as real, created entities, messengers between the world of mortals and God. And movies about angels, both good and bad, will always be messengers of film entertainment. Here's a new to DVD title about a good angel that's worthy of your time.

FAR AWAY, SO CLOSE! is the flip side to "Wings of Desire." Here, instead of desiring to be flesh and blood, the angel seeks to understand why humans have such a hard time experiencing the spiritual. These two films, taken together, offer a stunning and profoundly moving picture of the bittersweet, paradoxical and all-too-brief human experience. Both are of the highest order of mature filmmaking: intelligent, emotional, and visually stunning. They provide a memorable, meaningful and authentic experience about life's deepest mysteries. We are indeed spiritual beings having a human experience.

the dvd version lacks a scene! (as far as i notice) just before the end, when the circus people retake the ship.

More than sex, food or survival, we are creatures driven to find meaning in our lives (or so it's said by those who claim to know such things). A recent film that taps into that mindset, with success, is now available in a fine digital edition.

FAR AWAY, SO CLOSE is a subtle, almost ephemeral film that dares to tackle the profound question of why we humans have such a hard time experiencing, explaining and understanding the spiritual as ultimate reality (the rest is merely phenomena).

This superb companion piece to Wim Wenders much praised 1987 "Wings of Desire" works best with the least amount of foreknowledge.

Let go and consider the wonder, beauty and truth that we are indeed spiritual beings having a human experience.

Highest recommendation.

One of Wneders better efforts, I would call this more of a companion to rather than a sequel to "Wings of Desire". Overall, I think "Wings of Desire" was a better movie, it seems as though Wenders was trying to be a little more mainstream in this film, but nonetheless, an excellent film in the same veign as "Wings of Desire". I think it would have been that much better if he hadn't spent so much time on the character who was an arms dealer and the angels attempts to thwart his operation. This section of the movie came off as a mad cap adventure, and was not true to the overall tone and message of the film. But perhaps Wenders was trying to interject some levity in this film, he is known to be a bit heavy-handed in his other efforts.

I would not necessarily say that one MUST see "Wings of Desire" to enjoy this film, but it would sure help, as that film sets up much the character development for "Far Away, So Close"

Both films are insightful, well written, thought-provoking, well acted, and have great cinematography.

Most highly recommended.

If you liked "Beautiful Mind" so don't even think about to read this. OK, it's dense. But it's quite fine and useful for further analysis. especially if you are reading or working out Heidegger and existentialist thought as well. To see over and over again. A masterpiece.

If you are tired of watching the same movies, you should try this one. The story of angels walking between humans and their effort to understand them is a wonderful chance to understand a little bit more about ourselves.

Cassiel and the other angels teach us how beautiful life is, despite all problems we have to face.

In addition, the music by U2 and the images of Berlin are just another reason to watch it.

Enjoy it!