Man on Wire (James Marsh, 2008): UK

Reviewed by William Conlin. Viewed on DVD.

We humans really are a curiosity. What would make someone want to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel? What about jumping out of an airplane with nothing but fabric to break the fall? How about walking across the space between the tops of the World Trade Center on a tightrope? Man on Wire not only asks that last question, but it answers it with a passion.

In the early 1970’s a young Frenchman named Philippe Petit began orchestrating fantastic feats of wire walking across the globe. He successfully walked the lengths of Notre Dame Cathedral and The Sydney Bay Bridge, both times breaking the law and both times inspiring countless people. As much as he enjoyed these “minor” achievements, Petit was being haunted by a dream he had many years earlier. He had seen a drawing of the not-yet-constructed World Trade Center in New York and envisioned a wire spanning the distance across them. With this vision he assembled a team of unlikely criminals and began hatching a master plan to break into the towers and walk above the clouds.<

It’s almost hard to believe this film is a documentary. It’s content seems like something only found in a farcical comedy and its approach to telling the story is like a well crafted narrative drama. In the same style as Errol Morris’ The Thin Blue Line, James Marsh weaves a beautiful web of images, mixing stills, original film and reenactments to show every aspect of this “artistic crime of the century.” With stunning narration by Petit and his entire team, the viewer is treated to a story that not only enthralls you, but at times makes you feel like you are part of the team, struggling to get the job done.

There has been significant buzz about Man on Wire, and rightfully so. It is by far the finest documentary I have ever seen and I’m betting it will not only see an Academy Awards nomination, but it will also take home the statue. This film is a true masterpiece. I heard someone make the quip that “It’s amazing to think that the first major security breach on the World Trade Center wasn’t an act of terrorism, but it was an act of art.” I couldn’t agree more.

I am truly grateful this film was made. Over the last seven years, whenever we see an image of the World Trade Center, we are left with a sad and bitter feeling. Those buildings were a vision of this country’s greatness and this film restores a small part of them. Though it isn’t tangible–you can’t climb to the top or marvel at its size–this film lets us look at the towers once more without that tinge of sadness that we so often see.

About this entry

You’re currently reading “Man on Wire (James Marsh, 2008): UK,” an entry on Student Film Reviews

Published:
11.23.08 / 12pm
Category:
Documentary, DVD, Films