★★★★★
(Loved it)
(Loved it)
Director: James Marsh
Starring: Philippe Petit
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: July 15, 2008
Notes: Academy Award nomination for 'Best Documentary'.
Starring: Philippe Petit
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: July 15, 2008
Notes: Academy Award nomination for 'Best Documentary'.
Introduction
I was a Junior in High School when I had to do a report over the September 11 attacks. During my research, I came across a series of photos that I just could not believe. A tightrope walker crossing between the World Trade Center. The first thought that races through my mind is that the guy is either brilliant, or just flat out insane. Unfortunately, at the time of my research I could not find a lot of information on this individual who committed something extraordinary. Fast forward to current times, and a little documentary called "Man on Wire" is released. I was immediately ecstatic but to my dismay was not able to view it in theaters. So here I am over six months after it's release and I am reviewing "Man on Wire".
The Film
Philippe Petit is sitting at a dentist's office. He's suffering from a horrible tooth ache. While sitting in the lobby with countless others, Petit stumbles across something in a magazine. Two structures that tower of the island of Manhattan. In this instance Petit realizes something, a dream. Looking at the towers closely, Petit grabs a pencil and makes on small line. This small line connects the two towers of the World Trade Center, and it's immediately apparent what his dream is.
'Man on Wire' has a very interesting set up in which the film operates. It is split up into the
following: Interviews with Philippe Petit himself and his team, video documenting the prepartion and other stunts leading up the walk at the World Trade Center and a recreation using actors to portray the day they set up the line at the top of the two towers. To my surprise, I felt that this worked extremely well. I absolutely loved how a lot of real footage was shown of Petit preparing for this feat. It certainly adds to the immersful experience and a offers a direct relationship with Philippe. You certainly feel as if you were by his side from day one watching all of this planned. In other words, for the footage being taped from the late '60s to the early '70s, it certainly has a Discovery/History channel show feel to it. Of course no documentary is complete without the interviews of Philippe and the cast themselves. Philippe is perhaps one of the most passionate guys you will ever see. While his crew thought he was crazy, they stood by him and made him accomplish his goal. The recreation certainly has a 'bank heist' feel to it, which fits perfectly for the story. That's basically what this is, a great heist into the World Trade Center to tightrope across the two towers.
[Slight spoilers in the next paragraph, jump to the next paragraph if you don't want to see them]
The World Trade Center walk is not the only event depicted. Two other walks prior the World Trade Center included a walk between the two towers on Notre Dame, and two towers on a
bridge in Sydney, Australia. I was already in absolute awe watching him cross Notre Dame and the bridge, but absolutely nothing can compare for what he does in New York City. It is not only that Petit walks back and forth between two points, but the fact he also sits, and lies down on the wire. Philippe Petit's walk on the World Trade Center is without a doubt one of the most magnificent things I have witnessed. If there is only one thing you need to see to get you to see this documentary, it's the poster above.
[End slight spoilers]
If the cliche quote "all dreams come true" were to derive from one event, this is it. 'Man on Wire' offers an exhilerating ride that will keep you glued to the screen for the 9o minutes it runs. It's a documentary I could watch once a year for the rest of my life and it will still be as rewarding and fun as the first time I do it. Do not miss out, 'Man on Wire' is the best Documentary to come not only this year, but perhaps the decade. 'Man on Wire' earns my highest recommendation.
'Man on Wire' has a very interesting set up in which the film operates. It is split up into the
following: Interviews with Philippe Petit himself and his team, video documenting the prepartion and other stunts leading up the walk at the World Trade Center and a recreation using actors to portray the day they set up the line at the top of the two towers. To my surprise, I felt that this worked extremely well. I absolutely loved how a lot of real footage was shown of Petit preparing for this feat. It certainly adds to the immersful experience and a offers a direct relationship with Philippe. You certainly feel as if you were by his side from day one watching all of this planned. In other words, for the footage being taped from the late '60s to the early '70s, it certainly has a Discovery/History channel show feel to it. Of course no documentary is complete without the interviews of Philippe and the cast themselves. Philippe is perhaps one of the most passionate guys you will ever see. While his crew thought he was crazy, they stood by him and made him accomplish his goal. The recreation certainly has a 'bank heist' feel to it, which fits perfectly for the story. That's basically what this is, a great heist into the World Trade Center to tightrope across the two towers.[Slight spoilers in the next paragraph, jump to the next paragraph if you don't want to see them]
The World Trade Center walk is not the only event depicted. Two other walks prior the World Trade Center included a walk between the two towers on Notre Dame, and two towers on a
bridge in Sydney, Australia. I was already in absolute awe watching him cross Notre Dame and the bridge, but absolutely nothing can compare for what he does in New York City. It is not only that Petit walks back and forth between two points, but the fact he also sits, and lies down on the wire. Philippe Petit's walk on the World Trade Center is without a doubt one of the most magnificent things I have witnessed. If there is only one thing you need to see to get you to see this documentary, it's the poster above.[End slight spoilers]
If the cliche quote "all dreams come true" were to derive from one event, this is it. 'Man on Wire' offers an exhilerating ride that will keep you glued to the screen for the 9o minutes it runs. It's a documentary I could watch once a year for the rest of my life and it will still be as rewarding and fun as the first time I do it. Do not miss out, 'Man on Wire' is the best Documentary to come not only this year, but perhaps the decade. 'Man on Wire' earns my highest recommendation.
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