Wings of Fame

1990 "If you think life is strange, wait till you see what comes next."
6.9| 1h56m| R| en
Details

A famous movie actor claims that he has written a book. As result, a real author, not a very well known writer, vengefully kills him but then dies as a result of an accident. Next, they both find themselves in after-life, where souls of all famous people are gathered.

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Reviews

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Bakshi074 This is one of those unknown movie gems. If you're a movie fan, you should definitely try and find a copy of this beautiful picture. A dreamlike experience, with questions on mortality, fame, recognition, identity and a bit on the meaning of life and the afterlife... With beautiful cinematography and great acting. Finding this movie; there lies a bit of a challenge because it's difficult to find, if not impossible. It's on YouTube. But the quality is not fantastic.
firthnluv I saw this film a few months ago and loved it so much that I purchased it. The story is very captivating. The idea that there is an afterlife set up based on the level of fame that you have achieved on earth is intriguing. One was rich and famous on earth but the fame died quickly once dead. The other had no fame but what he attained through killing the famous man. However, he seemed to learn the most from the incident and the aftermath. We were given no knowledge of what happened to the average person, really, except a glimpse of souls floating in the seas of purgatory. Is that the fate that awaits those that accomplish nothing in life? Excellent film to begin to explore the concept. Really believe it should be re-released in todays society...perhaps we have evolved enough to understand it or at least give it some thought.
darkteilani *SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS!!!*What a brilliant idea for a plot! An afterlife-resort just for famous people? No matter how the fame was gained? Fascinating!!It really reminds me in many ways on Jean Paul Sartre's "Huis clos". You cannot quite decide whether it's Heaven or Hell. It all depends on the celebrities and what they do to each other. The worst thing for those famous souls isn't death but to vanish into oblivion.Peter O'Toole plays Cesar Valentin, an actor on the height of his fame. He is frantic that his stardom will soon be over but he manages to gain new attention as he writes a bestselling book.Colin Firth is Brian Smith, a nobody, who seems to stalk the famous actor. He is constantly on Valentin's toes and tries to get his attention. At a filmfestival where the actor continues to ignore him, Brian spontaneously grabs a pistol from a security officer and shoots Valentin. Directly after that he himself is killed by accident. And here the real story starts......Both end up on this island for dead celebrities. Brian's fame results from his murdering the famous actor. So both fates are intertwined in the afterlife and the quality of their accommodation and the service of the Hotel rises and falls with their fame.It's amazing how the famous actor and the nobody cope with that.Valentin tries to figure out why he was shot. The dialogues between him and Brian are most fun to watch! Brian is playing games with him, enjoying every moment. He couldn't care less that eventually he will fall into oblivion since he never was famous by own accomplishments.This story is about vanity, self-knowledge, evolving above yourself or selling yourself for something as transient as fame. The conclusion is unexpected and as fascinating as the story throughout! O'Toole and Firth are both uniquely brilliant in their performance. But Colin Firth is the one who made my day! Desperate, mad, curious, cunning, caring, loving and forgiving. He does all that so convincingly and endearingly, it really took my breath away!This is a real treat! 10 of 10 by all means!
countryway_48864 Wings of Fame is a discussion of the fleeting nature of fame and how little it actually means in terms of happiness or fulfillment.Peter O'Toole is a great actor. Colin Firth is the author of a book titled Wings of Fame that the actor claimed as his own work.The actor is at the height of his fame. The book would have given the writer the fame he deserved.In a moment of anger and opportunity, the writer shoots the actor at a film festival in front of his adoring fans. Then the film begins in earnest.The two are linked together by the act of murder. The journey they take to discover themselves and each other is fascinating.Many philosophical questions are asked, but no conclusions are drawn. The one thing that is pointed out graphically is that all famous people fade in the memory of the living once they are no longer producing anything new.The film is slow paced but loaded with acid wit that Dorothy Parker would admire. It also contains brilliant acting by O'Toole and Firth.The cinematography is wonderful and full of references to modern art.This is not a film for everyone. But those who love films with depth and challenge and those who love great acting will find a great deal in Wings of Fame to applaud and think about for a long time after it ends. I was grateful for the privilege of watching two great actors explore the nature of fame and its consequences.