Amazon Holiday

Monday, September 1, 2008

Man on Wire

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: This documentary tells the story of French tightrope walker, Philippe Petit, and his attempt to do his act in between the two World Trade Center buildings.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Philippe Petit, Annie Allix, Jean-Louis Blondeau, Jean-Francois Heckel, Jim Moore, Barry Greenhouse, David Foreman, Alan Welner, and "The Australian".

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. While the daring behind this amazing feet is impressive, and the lengths to which all these people went to illegally pull it off is insane, the ending leaves you wondering what emotion the film is trying to incite.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yeah, because performance artists are crazy!

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Beware if you have a fear of heights, some of the shots will make you queasy.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: They wouldn't want any. Because art is beautiful! And awards are ugly.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Sometimes people cry, and I don't know why...

Q: How is the Directing?

A: James March does a great job of gathering tons of authentic footage of these people in the 70s, (which is when this death-defying act occurred). But the re-enactment scenes get a little cheesy when they show the fake actor's faces, and you realize it's not the real people.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: There's something going on under the surface of this story, that for some reason is not shared with the audience. Some deep meaning, that I wish I knew... Alas, I was not there to experience it, and shall hence be forever left in the dark.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Seeing the Twin Towers in all their glory, and even watching them be built, has a tangential emotional effect, considering their now-known impending doom. This story of a young French man, whose psyche was overwhelmed by the mere idea that these two giant towers would go up and be the tallest in the world, only reinforces the deeper meaning those buildings used to have to people around the world, when they would think of America. And yet, at the same time, as his team reveals how they were able to go under cover and break into the buildings to pull off this illicit stunt, it makes you realize how vulnerable they've always been to terrorist acts.

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5 comments:

Farzan said...

hmm...interesting review. I have been eager to see this film. Its been getting rave reviews everywhere. Good post as always

Monique said...

You'll be disappointed if you go with expectations as high as the other reviewers tell you to have. It's a cool story, but it's not as moving as it could be.

Seek said...

I still want to see this one, as I remember fondly going through the rarely-locked hatches to rooftops of tall buildings in Baltimore back in my derelict youth. Glad I never tried the tight rope act though. This sounds like it has more guy appeal to it, but thanks for the good review anyway.

Monique said...

A yellow light isn't supposed to mean you shouldn't see it. It just means I can't recommend it without caveats, and you'll have to judge for yourself whether you would be the right audience for it or not.

People drive through yellow lights all the time, and when they don't get caught, it's sometimes really fun!

Thanks for all the comments.

teddy crescendo said...

I genuinely believe that what Philippe Petit did on that day is THE most astonishing thing that any human being has ever done in the last 5000 years of recorded world history ! ! !.