Howard Hawks revisits well-trodden ground with this airplane adventure and drama. Geoff Carter leads a small, struggling air freight business in Barranca. The loss of one of his top pilots—and friends—is just the first challenge he faces; former lovers, possible new romances, and internal conflicts all converge to push him to his breaking point. Howard Hawks’ aviation experience made him an ideal choice for directing this film, resulting in a skillfully developed character study set within a very limited setting. From a distance, it seems like the movie is shaping up to be a sentimental romantic story, but instead, emotion is directed into a kind of flawed character strength—something that creates a viewing experience where you become deeply invested in the carefully drawn personalities. The actors deliver strong performances. Cary Grant demonstrates his dramatic range with excellent results as Carter; the film depends on him to hold everything together, and he does so admirably. Jean Arthur and Rita Hayworth play the female roles within this predominantly male narrative, and it’s a credit to their talent that they aren't overshadowed by all the displays of masculine heroism in the story. Clever cinematography and thrilling aerial sequences enhance the overall quality, and if not for some overly sentimental dialogue, *Only Angels Have Wings* would undoubtedly be considered a classic from the 1930s. As it stands, it’s a wonderfully engaging film that showcases Hawks at his most compassionate. 8/10

Source on TMDB