City of Angels (1998)

City of Angels (1998), directed by Brad Silberling, is a romantic fantasy drama that reimagines the spiritual realm intersecting with human emotion. Loosely inspired by Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire, this film explores love, mortality, and the yearning to be human — all set against the backdrop of a hazy, poetic Los Angeles. With an iconic performance from Nicolas Cage and a tender, emotionally rich portrayal by Meg Ryan, this film has become a cult favorite for romantics who aren’t afraid of a little tragedy.

Detailed Summary

The Angels Among Us

The story follows Seth (Nicolas Cage), an angel assigned to watch over Los Angeles. Along with other angels, he silently observes and comforts humans during pivotal moments of life and death. Seth is invisible and intangible, with his existence dictated by divine purpose, not free will. He’s fascinated by human emotion but detached from it — until he meets Dr. Maggie Rice.

Maggie: The Surgeon with Doubts

Maggie (Meg Ryan) is a skilled heart surgeon, dedicated but emotionally walled-off. Her science-driven world begins to crumble when she loses a patient on the table — and begins to sense a presence during the death. That presence is Seth, who starts showing up in her life more and more. Though she can’t see him, she begins to feel a strange connection.

Seth’s Awakening

Seth becomes obsessed with Maggie. What begins as curiosity becomes love. He watches her read, eats the food she eats (though he can’t taste it), and becomes desperate to experience the life she leads. Eventually, Seth reveals himself to her in a moment that’s both haunting and intimate. Maggie, understandably shaken, struggles with the idea of falling in love with something she can’t even touch.

Nathaniel’s Influence

Seth meets Nathaniel Messinger (played wonderfully by Dennis Franz), a former angel who “fell” — not out of grace, but by choice. Nathaniel gave up eternity to live as a human and urges Seth to consider doing the same. It’s dangerous. It’s irreversible. But for love, it may be worth it.

Movie Ending

Seth decides to fall — literally and figuratively. He jumps from a high-rise, wakes up bleeding, and now feels cold, hungry, and alive. He experiences everything anew: pain, taste, smell — all the things he longed for. When he reunites with Maggie, she’s stunned and moved. They share a day together — a deeply sensual, emotionally fulfilling experience that marks a new chapter in both of their lives.

Then comes the gut punch.

The next morning, while out biking to get pears — a symbol of Seth’s new-found ability to taste — Maggie is struck by a truck and killed instantly. The moment is brutal, quiet, and tragic. Seth, now fully human, is devastated.

In the aftermath, Seth mourns by the ocean. Another angel appears and asks if it was worth it. Seth, tearful but resolute, says:
“I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss of her mouth, one touch of her hand, than an eternity without it.”

The film closes with Seth swimming in the ocean — a human among humans — relishing life, even in loss.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, City of Angels does not have a post-credits scene. Once the ending hits, the story leaves you with its final, poetic gut punch and rolls into the haunting Sarah McLachlan song “Angel.” There are no extra scenes, teasers, or Easter eggs waiting after the credits.

Type of Movie

• Genre: Romantic Drama / Fantasy
• Tone: Melancholic, poetic, emotional
• Audience: Fans of romance, tragic love stories, and spiritual themes

Cast

• Nicolas Cage as Seth
• Meg Ryan as Maggie Rice
• Dennis Franz as Nathaniel Messinger
• Andre Braugher as Cassiel (Seth’s angel friend)
• Colm Feore as Jordan Ferris

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Gabriel Yared, known for his deeply emotional and melodic work. The soundtrack became iconic thanks to standout tracks like:

• “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls (written for the film)
• “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan
• “Red House” by Jimi Hendrix

The music contributes heavily to the emotional atmosphere, with many people remembering the soundtrack as vividly as the film itself.

Filming Locations

• Los Angeles, California – The city itself is almost a character in the movie, with its foggy mornings and spiritual quietness at sunrise.
• Lake Tahoe – Scenes near the cabin and woods were filmed here, giving a naturalistic contrast to the city’s sterile hospital environments.

The filming locations were chosen to balance the spiritual and the real — sterile hospital rooms versus ethereal sunrises, and the ocean as a symbol of infinite change.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture (“Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls)
• Nominated: MTV Movie Awards – Best Kiss (Ryan and Cage)
• The film did not win major critical awards, but its music, themes, and performances helped it endure in popular culture.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Nicolas Cage prepared for the role by reading philosophical and religious texts on angels.
• Dennis Franz’s character was inspired by the idea of fallen angels as joyful, earthy beings.
• Meg Ryan found the emotional tone difficult, saying the shoot was “like walking on the edge of grief for weeks.”
• Much of the film was shot during “magic hour” to capture the soft, spiritual lighting.

Inspirations and References

• Inspired by: Wings of Desire (1987), a German film by Wim Wenders.
• Unlike Wings, which has a more abstract, philosophical tone, City of Angels leans heavily into romance and emotional accessibility.
• The idea of angels walking among us is derived from Judeo-Christian lore but interpreted in a secular, poetic way.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely released alternate endings, but early drafts had Seth remaining an angel, watching over Maggie from a distance. The final version, however, was chosen for its emotional weight and definitive closure.

Deleted scenes mostly involved extended hospital sequences and more interaction between Maggie and her colleagues, but nothing that dramatically changed the story.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is no official novel adaptation of City of Angels, but it is a spiritual adaptation of Wings of Desire. The main difference is tone:

• Wings is metaphysical and cerebral.
• City of Angels is emotional and grounded in romance.
• The ending of Wings is more optimistic, while City of Angels goes for heartbreak and beauty in tragedy.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Seth walking through the hospital halls, unseen, comforting dying patients.
• Maggie crying in the shower after losing a patient, unaware Seth is watching.
• Seth’s fall — a literal and emotional transition from eternity to mortality.
• The short but passionate night Seth and Maggie spend together.
• The final scene of Seth in the ocean, alone but alive.

Iconic Quotes

• “Some things are true whether you believe in them or not.”
• “I didn’t think I could be hurt. I didn’t think I could feel this… but I do.”
• “When they ask me what I liked the best, I’ll tell them it was you.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Seth always wears black while other angels wear trench coats in beige tones — a subtle indicator of his difference.
• The library scenes are a nod to Wings of Desire, which also features angels dwelling in libraries.
• Nathaniel’s enjoyment of food and cigarettes contrasts Seth’s otherworldly detachment, foreshadowing Seth’s desire to live.

Trivia

• The movie grossed over $198 million worldwide.
• The script was rewritten several times to soften the more metaphysical elements for American audiences.
• Nicolas Cage stated that this was one of the most “emotionally draining” roles of his career.
• Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” became a massive hit and remains one of the most recognizable songs from a 90s soundtrack.

Why Watch?

Watch City of Angels if you’re in the mood for a heartbreaking love story with a spiritual twist. It asks timeless questions about the cost of love, the beauty of mortality, and what it truly means to be alive. It’s also one of the few romantic films that dares to end on a note of beautiful sadness rather than a tidy happily-ever-after.

Director’s Other Movies

• Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
• Moonlight Mile (2002)
• Land of the Lost (2009)
• Casper (1995)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Wings of Desire (1987)
• The Fountain (2006)
• Ghost (1990)
• Meet Joe Black (1998)
• The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
• What Dreams May Come (1998)