Today’s quick review: City of Angels. Seth (Nicolas Cage) is an angel tasked with observing, guiding, and comforting humanity without being seen. But his invisible life begins to chafe when he falls in love with Dr. Maggie Rice (Meg Ryan), a heart surgeon devoted to saving lives. Seth visits Maggie and even manages to win her heart. But to continue their relationship, Seth must make the choice to sacrifice his angelhood and become mortal.
City of Angels is a fantasy romance about life, love, and mortality. Nicolas Cage stars as Seth, an angel who views the world with the same detached benevolence as the rest of his kind. However, he longs to experience life the way humans do, a sentiment that becomes personal when he meets Maggie. Their romance becomes the basis for a thoughtful, sentimental drama with lofty themes. How successful it is will depend heavily on the viewer’s taste.
City of Angels aims for and achieves a very particular tone. The film is deliberate, wistful, and full of poignant moments and ruminations on the human condition. Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan are a good fit. Cage gives an unusually subdued performance as Seth, while Ryan balances the drive, the stress, and the inherent goodness of Maggie Rice quite well. The movie’s premise, its story, its themes, and its tones are all the same: gentle but somehow odd.
These traits make City of Angels very hit-or-miss. The sentimental tone and slow pacing will make it too sedate of a watch for some viewers, while some of the heavier moments will disappoint romance fans looking for simple escapism. The film is also very transparent with its intentions, including the moments that are meant to be profound, joyous, and heartbreaking. The result is a romantic drama that hits its mark but isn’t subtle about how it does so.
Watch City of Angels when you’re in the mood for a bittersweet, philosophical sort of romance. Many viewers will get little out of the movie to begin with, and the ones that do will get the most out of it when they’re in the right mood. But its unique story and solid execution make it a good pick for those interested in the premise. For a more abstract fantasy romance, try The Fountain. For another visit from an angel, try The Bishop’s Wife.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for an unusual romance with tender moments and a specific sort of appeal.