City of Angels (1998)

An angel on Earth, a doctor unable to believe, a patient with a secret, a love story made in Heaven.

Director:

Brad Silberling

Writers:

Wim Wenders (screenplay "Der Himmel über Berlin"), Peter Handke (screenplay "Der Himmel über Berlin")

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, Andre Braugher

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 10 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cage	...	Seth
Meg Ryan	...	Dr. Maggie Rice
Andre Braugher	...	Cassiel
Dennis Franz	...	Nathaniel Messinger
Colm Feore	...	Jordan Ferris
Robin Bartlett	...	Anne
Joanna Merlin	...	Teresa Messinger
Sarah Dampf	...	Susan
Rhonda Dotson	...	Susan's Mother
Nigel Gibbs	...	Doctor
John Putch	...	Man in Car
Lauri Johnson	...	Woman in Car
Christian Aubert	...	Foreign Visitor in Car
Jay Patterson	...	Air Traffic Controller
Shishir Kurup	...	Jimmy, Anesthesiologist

Storyline

Seth is an angel who accompanies the spirits of the recently dead to the ever after. Seth has never been human and so has never experienced touch or taste. When in the hospital however 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. Seth 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. Seth makes a decision on his future, which does not turn out as he had expected.

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Plot Keywords:

candlelit bath | woman wears eyeglasses | barefoot male | man in a shower | male objectification | 

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Taglines:

What if angels walked among us, and one of them fell in love with us?

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexuality including language, and some nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Meg Ryan's character is called Maggie which is short for Margaret. Meg Ryan's real name is Margaret Emily Hyra.

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Goofs

The time on a clock in the kitchen.

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Quotes

Seth: What's that like? What's it taste like? Describe it like Hemingway.
Maggie Rice: Well, it tastes like a pear. You don't know what a pear tastes like?
Seth: I don't know what a pear tastes like to you.
Maggie Rice: Sweet, juicy, soft on your tongue, grainy like a sugary sand that dissolves in your mouth. How's that?
Seth: It's perfect.

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Alternate Versions

The DVD contains some additional/extended scenes:

• Seth studies Maggie in her home while she is preparing a bath.
• Maggie's dog Earl leaves her bed at night and she turns the light on. He sits beside Seth who is watching her. As she can't see Seth she just goes back to sleep.
• The first surgery scene is extended.
• Maggie prepares dinner while Seth watches her.
• Seth and Maggie visit Nathaniel Messinger at his bed.
• After Nathaniel told Maggie that Seth can fall, she goes and searches for angels in the hospital.
• A montage of small tidbits that had to be cut like Seth talking to a Vietnamese woman or him trying to feel the blowing wind at the beach.

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Connections

Referenced in Game k n b?: Episode dated 3 March 2007 (2007)

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Soundtracks

Feelin' Love
Written, Produced and Performed by Paula Cole
Courtesy of The Imago Recording Company/Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Very Romantic ... Very Good ...

I thought City Of Angels was very good. I'm usually very critical towards movies, but City Of Angels got to me. Meg Ryan usually plays in Romantic Comedy's (Sleepless in seatle, You've got mail) but this time, City Of Angels, admittedly a Romantic film, but it isn't a comedy. Far from it, it's a drama in all of its aspects. And Meg Ryan converts to that change very well. She acts great in this movie. It wasn't an easy part for her, there is a lot of crying involved, and a lot of dramatic moments in her characters life.

As goes for Nicolas Cage's character. Oh my god, he plays Seth with such excellence. Really, i don't think that anyone else could play the part as great as he did. The way he looks, the way he moves .. so cool.

Ok the storyline is a little unbeleivable, but you musn't be held back by that fact. Just beleive the unbeleivable. Just go with the plot, and follow the movie closely.

I'm not suggesting that City Of Angels is the best in it's sort. It won't win any oscars, but what i am saying, is that it's a nice movie, with great actors, great music and a good storyline which rolls towards very emotional ending.

You won't be dissapointed.

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

City of Angels

Filming Locations:

Johnie's Coffee Shop - 6101 Wilshire Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,369,048, 12 April 1998

Gross USA:

$78,685,114

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$198,685,114

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atlas Entertainment, Monarchy Enterprises B.V., New Regency Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1