The greatest movie ever made..!

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Don't Believe the Hype

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

It's a big task if a foreigner like German director Wim Wenders wants to explore the American Psyche after 9/11. But he does succeed. While it's obvious that Wenders is no fan of George W. Bush (and his political position will be somehow close to that of Lana and far away from that of uncle Paul) Wenders manages to treat both characters with respect and understanding, without condemnation. Wim Wenders has somehow fallen in love with the USA a long time ago - especially with the American West and I think he has understood a lot of how the American psyche is like and what damage 9/11 was for the US Society. The clash of the characters Lana and Paul is beautiful to watch, the acting is fine as well as the cinematography and the music. The Story unfolds less slowly than in other Wenders movies and although it's clearly a drama (and no other genre) it even has a little suspense as it's not clear what is really behind the terror plot that Paul is seeing. I liked seeing how Lana and Paul get to know each other, how they find a common ground in spite of all their differences and how Paul slowly begins to question his own worldview and attitude.What I liked in particular is that Wim Wenders seems to have a message for viewers on both sides of the political spectrum. As you might expect the movie has an anti was message (though not as strong as some might hope) and for people with a worldview similar to Uncle Paul's this movie might be an invitation to look at the world through the eyes of Lana and see another reality beyond anxiety and conspiracy. But Viewers from the left side might find their views challenged as well. Wenders has no message of the left winning an Argument over the right, he rather has a message of reconciliation. In the last minutes of the movie we hear some things that makes us see Paul's character in a more positive light and helps us to see how precious he is.The movie is 12 years old by now but having a look at the US at the time of the presidential race of Trump vs. Hillary I realize how it's message is just on time. Despite all the anxiety and mistrust shown in the movie - for everyone who thinks that bipartisanship and unity are things Americans should reach for this movie ultimately has a hopeful message.

Watching "Der himmel über Berlin" as a teen in the late 80's was a profound experience for me - "so this was what the movies could be". Along with "Paris, Texas" and "Until the End of the World" it still holds a special place in my heart and mind - a testament to the genius of Wim Wenders.Unfortunately later years has seen a steady decline in the quality of his work with "Million Dollar Hotel" and "Land of Plenty" hitting a terrible low point. Gone are the captivating pictures or music. No search for or display of great insight. All that is left are characters and thinly veiled political statements, that boils down to nothing but clichés, and quite frankly mock the intelligence of a mature audience.Has the well run dry? Whatever the reason, it's time for Mr. Wenders to either step it up or stop altogether.

The End of Violence and certainly the Million Dollar hotel hinted at the idea the Wenders has lost his vision, his ability to tell compelling stories through a map of the moving picture. The Land of Plenty seals the coffin, I'm afraid, by being a vastly unimaginative, obviously sentimental and cliché'd film. The characters are entirely flat and stereotyped, the writing, plot and direction are amateurish, at best. For the first time in quite a while, I was impatient for the film to end so I could get on with my life. The war-torn delirium of the uncle, the patriotic abstract gazing at the sky at the conclusion...it all just struck me as being so simple and pathetic, hardly the work of a filmmaker who once made some compelling magic on screen. What happened? The days of experimentation, perceptive writing and interesting filming possibilities are long behind him, I'm afraid. Let's hope he finds his inspiration again... At the Toronto film festival, which is where I saw the film, Wenders was there to introduce it. Completely lacking in humility, he offered us the following: "I hope...no, wait...I KNOW you're going to enjoy the next two hours." I'm afraid he couldn't be more wrong...

This is for me the most coherent of the Wim Wenders films I've seen and it's to-date the best attempt to depict post-9/11 America on film. The not-so-subtle symbolism, the superb acting (especially by Michelle Williams), and moving story line, which concerns an attempt to give a homeless Pakistani man a decent burial after he is gunned down in a drive-by shooting, come together to paint a portrait of an America left stunned and somewhat confused.I was moved by the one scene in which John Diehl's character Paul is informed by his friend that "It's not who we thought," and we see on his face, the hope fading away of ever finding any relief for his vague need for some kind of justice--and this is mirrored by the fading desert sun in the background.I agree with the other reviewer that these completely American characters may make sense mostly to non-Americans--but that's only a result of the films unflinching objectivity. Watch and learn.