Wenders returned to Berlin in an attempt to re-capture the magic of
Wings Of Desire. But though it also follows an angel who seeks human
form, Faraway, So Close is let down by a convoluted, confused plot
involving kidnapping, bunjee jumping and Willem Dafoe as Time Itself.
In his earlier films, Wenders was content to do without conventional
narrative, but evoked powerful emotions and sensations. Here he seems
to be straining after suspense and thrills, and falls flat as a result.
Cameos from Lou Reed and Mikhael Gorbachev only add to the air of
self-indulgence.
