Philip, a German photographer, has been touring the east coast of America, tasked with capturing the American landscape. Lethargic and unmotivated on his journey, Philip is struggling with any form of motivation, drifting along on his journey as he strugglies with loneliness and alienation. Struggling to even begin his article, outside of a few pictures which he struggles to personally connect with, Philip decides to head back to Germany and finish the article there. While at the airport, Philip meets a German mother along with her 8 year-old daughter, Alice. Philip agrees to watch after Alice momentarily but when her mother vanishes, he becomes tasked with taking care of this young girl. Flying back to Germany, Philip forms an unlikely friendship with Alice as the two embark on a journey to find Alice's grandmother and return her home. Wim Wender's Alice In The Cities is a touching film centered around a man stuck in emotional and personal paralysis. Philip is a man who feels emotionally detached from modern socieities changing landscape, with the influences of America's consumerism changing the world we live. This cultural shift has left Philip feeling aliented and the relationship he forms with the young, spunky Alice is what springs Philip back to life. Alice in the Cities is a film that is incredibly touching but understated, never falling victim to sentimental sequences, opting instead to be a quiet exploration of what makes us all human. Wenders showcases the importance of human interaction, subtely showcasing Philip's new found emotional freedom with a beautiful final sequence. The film also seems to put an emphasis of the importance and power of image, as Philip documents his journey through photography, suggesting the emotional bond photography creates in capturing time and a place. Wim Wenders' Alice In The Cities is a touching travelouge that offers a poignant reminder of the importance of human connection.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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