An early triumph from Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire/Buena Vista Social Club) from 1974. A photojournalist on assignment in the States has wrapped up his gig but his editor gives him an earful for having the pics (Polaroids specifically which were probably new for the time) but no story to go w/them. Deciding to regroup creatively back home in Germany, he runs into a woman & her young daughter on their way back to Amsterdam ( the woman is on the outs from the girl's father) so they all decide to return home together but for some unseen reason, the mother decides another stab at her relationship & our hero is stuck for the bulk of the film transporting his new young charge back home via train, plane & rental car to deposit her at her grandmother's. Shot in glorious black & white by the late, great Robby Muller, this quirky travelogue feels like the most feel good film Wenders ever produced w/the great use of dissolves to punch the momentum of the scenes as each episode unfolds. Never falling into a chasm of saccharine sweetness or out & out pathos, this pragmatic adventure rests on the shoulders of the 2 leads who perform great wonders w/little effort.
Review of Alice in the Cities
