Tag: Amaro

Foreign

Wings of Desire

LizLockeLeave a comment
Image credit: Wings of Desire, 1987

As I’ve mentioned on here a few times already, romance that straddles the line between heaven and earth is one of my favorite film genres. From Heaven Can Wait, to A Matter of Life and Death, to Chances Are, I simply cannot get enough of these fantasy flicks. As reality becomes increasingly less appealing, it seems like the perfect time to watch the Wim Wenders 1987 German classic Wings of Desire (Disc/Download).

Sharing A Matter of Life and Death‘s visual construct of black & white for the heavenly creatures and vivid color for the human world, Wings of Desire takes us from the rooftops to the back alleys of West Berlin, a few years before reunification. In many ways, the romance between an angel and a lonely trapeze artist gets lost among the powerful commentary of a fractured society. At this point in history, Germans have seen their cities and communities crumble to ruins, and people on the whole are pretty depressed. We get a birds eye view (or, an angel’s eye view) of their psyche as the heavenly beings in trench coats listen to their thoughts, and let me tell you, those thoughts are pretty dark. Only love can make the human world bearable, which is a lesson I’m carrying with me on a daily basis.

When the angel Damiel takes the ultimate plunge and becomes human to be with the woman he loves, he’s shocked to discover the flavors he’s been missing all these years. A simple cup of coffee nearly brings tears to his eyes. I know the feeling because this espresso martini is so good, I nearly wept at first sip. While watching Wings of Desire, I recommend drinking a Salted Amaro Espresso Martini.

Salted Amaro Espresso Martini

1 1/2 oz Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur

1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz Amaro Nonino

1/4 oz Cointreau

1 oz Espresso

1 pinch kosher salt

Dried orange slice or orange twist

In a shaker with ice, combine Kahlúa, vodka, Amaro, Cointreau, freshly brewed espresso, and a pinch of salt. Shake until chilled, then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a dried orange slice or orange twist.

If you like espresso martinis, this is a fantastic variation on the classic with a bit more depth of flavor. Next week, I’ll be back to discuss the American remake City of Angels, but in the meantime, enjoy this meditation on the things that make life worth living. If Nick Cave, libraries, and coffee beverages do it for you, then Wings of Desire might just be one of those things. Cheers!

Comedies

Moonstruck

LizLocke2 Comments
Image credit: Moonstruck, 1987

As a writer, I try to give the people what they want. And if social media is any indication, the people want Moonstruck (Disc/Download). A movie I’ve always enjoyed, it wasn’t until a recent rewatch that I understood the power of this romantic comedy. You want positive feedback? Announce that you’re watching Moonstruck and wait for all the people to chime in to say how much they looooove Moonstruck. And they will chime in because this movie is just that delightful.

Starring Cher as a widowed Brooklyn bookkeeper who lives with her Italian-American family and is suddenly juggling the affections of two brothers, Moonstruck succeeds because of two things:

  1. The fantastic script by John Patrick Shanley
  2. Nicolas Cage

All of the actors in this are brilliant, but Cage has the most difficult role. He has to be angry, slightly unhinged, sporting a wooden hand, yet somehow sexy enough for a smart, mature woman like Cher’s character Loretta to give him the time of day. Sexy enough for the audience to give him the time of day. Spoiler: he’s all that and then some. This guy is a wounded wolf who wears his vulnerability on his sleeve, particularly when Loretta graces him with her presence at the opera. The moment she removes her coat and he thanks her for taking the time to look nice for their date, I absolutely swoon. If your partner doesn’t acknowledge you and look at you the way Ronny looks at Loretta, you’re with the wrong person.

Because Loretta comes from a big Italian family, food and wine are the backbone of so many Moonstruck scenes. For a celebratory occasion, only a little bubbly will do. I love a good spritz, particularly one that uses the Italian liqueur Amaro. You could try the Sicilian variety Averna in honor of Ronny and Johnny’s “dying” mother, or you could go authentic Brooklyn by picking up a bottle of Forthave Spirits Marseille Amaro. Either way, you’re in for a treat. While watching Moonstruck, I recommend drinking a “That’s Amaro!”

That’s Amaro!

2 oz Amaro

3 oz Prosecco

1 oz Soda Water

Lime Wheel garnish

Build drink over ice, stirring gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Watching Moonstruck always makes me feel like I just spent the night having dinner with family. There’s a familiarity to these characters and the way they interact that transcends cultural backgrounds. I may not have grown up in a multi-generational household, and as a child most of my access to fettuccini and manicotti was through Stouffer’s, but the happiness and frustration of being with people who know you better than you know yourself is universal. As is, apparently, our love for this movie. Cheers!