Man on Wire
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Movie Reviews of Man on Wire
Movie Review: Im-pos-ze-ble?!? Not For a True Rebel Like Philippe Petit
Summary: 5 Stars
I will never forget the indelible, and terrifying image of tightrope walker Phillip Petit in the Guinness Book of World Records when I was a kid. I would stare at that picture and wonder what would possess a person do such an insane thing. I don't mind saying that when it comes to heights I'm like Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo... I am acrophobic. So the photo alone puts me on the edge of my seat. I thought James Marsh did a phenomenal job on this documentary. Thank you! The documentary is suspenseful, not only due to the vertiginous subject matter, but also the heist-like element of plotting the wire walk itself-- It's like watching Dassin's Rififi from the criminal element. Anything could've gone wrong. Petit could've died. Accomplices arrested. All odds were against Philip, but he remained unstoppable in his vision, tenacious in his insistence that it could be done, AND HE DID IT! It is a true story of perseverance, a focused mind and vision, no matter how insane the idea is perceived. True genius! On a deeper level, I kept reflecting on the 9/11 hijackers, as I am sure many viewers will while watching this documentary, the difference is between Petit's innocence and only wanting to conquer the Twin Towers, to perform a stunt... not hurting anyone... and how a century later another's evil intentions would obliterate them forever. This is an incredible story! Again, thanks to James March for assembling this and completing the picture.
Movie Review: Delightful tale of derring-do (overcast by the shadow of 9/11)
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a tale that goes way back to the months after I graduated high school in 1974 -- a young Frenchman named Phillipe Petit managed to string a rightwire between the nearly-completed towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Then, for an hour, he walked about danced across the rope -- a quarter of a mile in the sky -- above the heads of amazed New Yorkers and their less-amused constabulary.
"Man on Wire" splices current interviews with film, video and still footage from the 1970s to tell the story. Petit is a dynamo -- a frenetic blend of pluck, skill and insanity who gathers around him a hodge-podge of volunteers who help him execute his art. This is a story of romance, careful planning, athletic excellence, technical skill, sleuthing and near escapes. It is utterly delightful to watch. Except, perhaps, for the fact that the sluthing was being done on the WTC, a building that was also surveilled by those with less artistic intents. This unavoidable sense of sadness and loss is not addressed directly in the film, but colors every frame. Some of Petit's still undimmed wildness seems misplaced given the context.
"Man on Wire" is a beautiful film, with stunning photography taken by the gang that conquered the Twin Towers -- in a good way. A neat DVD extra (that *does* address the loss of the towers) is a Scholastic animated after-school special that tells the tale in about 10 minutes. My wife and I loved the whole thing.
Movie Review: Best documentary of 2008
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me state upfront that I am a sucker for great non-fiction documentaries. I've always believed that life is stranger than fiction. And this is just the last (and perhaps best) example of it.
"Man on Wire" (98 min.) tells the improbable story of Phillipe Petit's dream (and eventual reality) of walking on a high wire between the two WTC buildings on August 7, 1974. The movie starts with his humble beginngins of being a street artist, eventually leading to his wanting to do high wire walks, starting with the Paris Notre Dame, then the Sidney Harbor, and then eventually the World Trade Center Towers. The movie does an excellent job building the excitement into what it took to eventually pull off that implossible event. All of the main players of the event are interviewed now more than 30 years after the event, and Philippe Petit turns out to be a master entertainer and story teller. When you are watching it all unvolve, you can't but help be in awe of it all. Just exilerating, period.
If this movie doesn't get serious consideration of being nominated for best documentary of 2008 at the Oscars, there is something terribly wrong with the entire system. This is one of the most enthralling movies I've seen this year, and I've seen a lot of movies.
Movie Review: Best documentary of the year
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me state upfront that I am a sucker for great non-fiction documentaries. I've always believed that life is stranger than fiction. And this is just the last (and perhaps best) example of it.
"Man on Wire" (98 min.) tells the improbable story of Phillipe Petit's dream (and eventual reality) of walking on a high wire between the two WTC buildings on August 7, 1974. The movie starts with his humble beginngins of being a street artist, eventually leading to his wanting to do high wire walks, starting with the Paris Notre Dame, then the Sidney Harbor, and then eventually the World Trade Center Towers. The movie does an excellent job building the excitement into what it took to eventually pull off that implossible event. All of the main players of the event are interviewed now more than 30 years after the event, and Philippe Petit turns out to be a master entertainer and story teller. When you are watching it all unvolve, you can't but help be in awe of it all. Just exilerating, period.
If this movie doesn't get serious consideration of being nominated for best documentary of 2008 at the Oscars, there is something terribly wrong with the entire system. This is one of the most enthralling movies I've seen this year, and I've seen a lot of movies.
Movie Review: Awesome documentary!
Summary: 5 Stars
I know I'm not alone when I say that I can not begin to imagine the courage, soul, seeming fearlessness(although he does admit to being fearful and acknowledges how potentially close death was), bravery, daring, etc. etc. of a man like Philippe Petit. The relative ease with which he deals with heights, I'm sure, will make many viewers cringe a few times during the film. I have never written a review before, but if you are a fan of the extraordinary, this film is for you. It is an inspiring glimpse into what greatness human beings are capable of when we dream, are blessed with a singular determination and daring and when we take care of ourselves(body and mind). Can you imagine after everything Mr. Petit had to do to set the stage for his dance on the wire that he was physically and mentally at ease enough to accomplish the actual act. No twitches or spasms or mental demons that tortured him into a mistake at a time when a mistake might be lethal. Mr. Petit is not a man as I am a man. He is a Superman! In a crazy world where most are dedicating huge portions of their lives to a suspect preperation for some far-fetched after-life... Philippe Petit has surly found his own answers from among his several opportunities to sit amongst the clouds on his wire.