Man On Wire (2008)

Re: Man On Wire (2008)

You really know how to recommend a film, Henry.

M.

Re: Man On Wire (2008)

Who, me? I stopped reviewing art films a long time ago. Too few people have any opportunity to see them until DVD, and those that do seldom write anything here. (If the shoes fits, Henry . . .)

I have to say, though, that this is one of those exceptional documentaries that expands one's notion of the plausible. It's the kind of story you couldn't make up: how French aerialist Philippe Petit staged his 1974 "performance" -- it deserves to be called that -- in which he and a rag-tag team of conspirators strung a cable between the almost-completed World Trade Center towers, on which Petit proceeded to walk, recline and balance for almost an hour, while pedestrians on the street below gawked in amazement.

If someone did make it up, people would fall all over themselves insisting that it couldn't possibly happen, pointing out all the implausibilities: how you couldn't get past security, how you couldn't haul the necessary equipment up 102 stories, how the winds at that height would make the rigging impossible, how you'd spend the rest of your life in jail, etc. (The documentary addresses all these points, and the nitpickers have to shut up, 'cause that's how it was.)

Then, of course, there's the question of what sort of unique individual would want to do this. One of the best things I can say about Man on Wire is that you emerge from the film feeling like you've met the man.

The story is told through contemporary interviews with Petit and his team, illustrated by photographs, home movies, news footage and animations. They are fascinating people, all of them, from the charismatic Petit to the shy Annie, his girlfriend.

Truth really is stranger than fiction. In this instance, it's also more wondrous and, as with most wonders, tinged with sadness.

M.

Re: Man On Wire (2008)

It's been showing in Phoenix for weeks. I saw it last week and LOVED it. I was 30 years old when Petit did this, but I do NOT remember it, so it was all new to me.

EXCELLENT movie.

Re: Man On Wire (2008)

Michael - that was a great review.

We are in a golden age of documentary filmmaking - this is a wonderful movie and fascinating story.

BTW, I care about *good* flims, whatever their type, genre or language. I just don't see a lot of discussion about docs or art films here, except on the Sight & Sound thread, so it's nice to see Man On Wire with its own thread. Thanks for mentioning it, Henry.

Re: Man On Wire (2008)

Yeah let's give Henry some credits, he at least creates threads for the stuff.

--
H

Re: Man On Wire (2008)

I do. There aren't many people who inspire me to write movie reviews.

M.

Re: Man On Wire (2008)

Having seen the trailer, I fully expected to be astonished by Petit's incredible act. I still was, but the most surprising thing about the movie was the day/night before he actually walked on the wire. He wasn't sleep cozily in a bed or lounging around the day before. Instead, he spends more than half a day preparing for the setup, on top of the building the whole time, and then has to walk on the wire at a time of not his choosing. And then when he does, his reaction is beautiful. Really amazing stuff.