James Marsh's documentary focusses on what has been called the artistic crime of the century: When a young French man called Philippe Petit tightrope walked between the two towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. It documents the early stages of his mission, the planning, and the execution of this mind-blowing feat.
Wednesday 1 September 2010
FILM CHALLENGE: 104) Man On Wire
Added Jan 6, 2010,
104) Man On Wire
Director: James Marsh
Year: 2008
Plot Summary: On August 7, 1974, Philippe Petit, a French wire walker, juggler, and street performer days shy of his 25th birthday, spent 45 minutes walking, dancing, kneeling, and lying on a wire he and friends strung between the rooftops of the Twin Towers. Using contemporary interviews, archive footage and recreations, Man On Wire tells the story of how and why he mounted the wire.
Therefore, some would say that Man On Wire plays out like a heist movie and is reminiscent of films such as Ocean Eleven and Inception. For much of the movie's second act, in fact, we watch as the team is assembled and they plan exactly how they are going to pull off this near impossible challenge. However, in my opinion, it's so much more than just a thriller. Marsh's film is a study of how one man put his mind to something, no matter how difficult it was and what the consequences could have been, and went out and achieved his dream anyhow.
It's impossible not to feel inspired by Philippe Petit's ambition and determination after watching Man On Wire. As the film reaches the final 10 minutes and we are shown photographs of his walk between the two structures, you will more than likely be moved to tears at his accomplishment. And when he is finally brought down from the wire and hounded by journalists asking him why he did it; his confused response that "there is no why" is one of the most beautiful moments in documentary cinema.
While the film is simply about this one act, Man On Wire never has a dull moment either. Partly because it's so well constructed as it cuts back and forth to reconstructed footage of the actual break-in and execution of the plan. But, also, because Petit is such a fascinating character. His life story and his eccentric way of telling it is so involving that you will struggle to avert your eyes from the screen.
Every time I watch it, Man On Wire leaves me with my jaw on the floor. It's not only an incredibly gripping and entertaining work of cinema but it's one that will leave you completely stunned.
5/5
2 comments:
Your review put me in the mood to rewatch it with my nan yesterday (she said "I loved The Wireman one" lol). While the films focus is pure and simple and it expresses it better than any fictional film, this lacks a certain structure that is required to make it fully satisfying. And it does leave some room for questions that I seriously wouldn't have minded the extra 30 minutes spent explaining, even if it was just more background info. Great film though.
Yeah, it is a great film. :D I thought that the structure was perfect actually and I'd have few complaints with it. I guess it's a shame that the actual walk was only documented through some amateur photographs but that can't be helped.
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