Watch Lightning Over Water

Lightning Over Water is a 1980 American-German film directed by Wim Wenders and Nicholas Ray. It is also known as Nick's Movie, as it chronicles the last days of the famous Hollywood director Nicholas Ray, who was terminally ill with cancer during the production of this movie. The film is a poignant and intimate portrait of Ray's life during his final days, shot in his apartment in New York City. It offers a rare glimpse into his creative process, his personal philosophy, and his complex relationships with women, especially his wife Susan Schwartz, and his mistress Samantha Fuller.

The film opens with Ray in bed, struggling with his illness and his addiction to alcohol and cigarettes. He talks candidly about his fears, regrets, and dreams, and reflects on his long and distinguished career as a filmmaker, from Rebel Without a Cause to Bitter Victory. Ray's conversations with his friends and family members are interspersed with scenes from his film shoots and excerpts from his old interviews.

The main focus of the movie, however, is Ray's relationship with Wim Wenders, who was both his friend and his collaborator. Wenders had originally proposed to make a documentary about Ray's work, but when he learned about Ray's illness, he changed his plan and decided to film Ray's last days instead. The movie became a joint project, with Wenders serving as the director and Ray as the subject and co-author.

The shooting of the film was improvised and spontaneous, as Ray's condition was unpredictable and his mood swings were extreme. The scenes in the film were shot in real-time, often with natural light and without any professional equipment. The camera frequently zooms in on Ray's face, capturing his pain, his passion, and his vulnerability. The film's soundtrack features Ray's own voice-over narration, as well as songs by Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and The Band.

Lightning Over Water is not a typical biographical film. It is much more personal and poetic than that. It combines elements of documentary, diary, and experimental cinema, creating a hybrid form that is both challenging and rewarding. The film is not so much about Ray's achievements as it is about his humanity. It takes us behind the facade of fame and fortune and reveals the man behind the myth. It is a film about love, death, and the power of art to transcend them both.

The film is also a tribute to the art of cinema itself. It celebrates the joy of storytelling, the magic of images, and the spirit of collaboration. It shows us how a movie can be made with little money, few resources, and no script, and still have a profound impact on its audience. It is a film that reminds us why we love movies in the first place.

The performances in the film are all outstanding. Nicholas Ray, in particular, delivers one of the most powerful and bravest performances of his career. He bares his soul to the camera, revealing his flaws and his virtues, his brilliance and his madness. He faces his own mortality with courage, humor, and dignity. He makes us feel his pain and his joy, and he inspires us with his spirit. We cannot help but love him, and mourn him.

The film was not widely seen when it was first released, but it has since become a cult classic, and a must-see for anyone interested in the art of cinema, or the human condition. It is an important document of a great artist's legacy, and a testament to the power of friendship and creativity. Lightning Over Water is a film that will stay with you long after you've seen it. It is a film that will make you feel alive.