Man on Wire

UK, 2008

Director:

James Marsh

Starring:

Matt: -

Adam: B+

Very few people get the opportunity to fulfil a burning ambition, especially one that involves accomplishing the near impossible, but that's exactly what the subject of this very watchable doc managed 34 years ago. James Marsh's film retells an improbable, but successful attempt to wirewalk between the Twin Towers in New York in the summer of 1974. The man that did it, Phillipe Petit, tells us his tale with an excitement that is still evident 3 decades on. Petit comes across as exactly the sort of person you'd have to be to conceive the idea of breaking into the world trade centre, bypassing security to gain access to the roof, and rig up a highwire between the two structures - and that's a slightly loopy, engaging guy with something of a death-wish. He has a passion and desire burning within and this come across in his always entertaining talking heads. Marsh intersperses these with recollections of the other team members, as well as some old video footage and a re-enactment. The whole is every bit as gripping as an intricately plotted bank heist.

In the years leading up to his audacious "criminal live art", Petit had already successfully walked between the towers of the Notre Dame, and then the pillars of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Doing the same between the North and South tower of the World Trade Centre was a different feat altogether however and his story would be quite unbelievable if it weren't true. In truth I cannot possibly believe that every little detail is exactly how they explain it - some seem embellished, for instance a security guard who stares straight at two of their team on their way up to the roof and says nothing. This doesn't detract from an amazing tale that is very well told however. I often have a problem with watching documentariess on the big screen since they very often would be just as suited, and indeed sometimes better suited, to the small screen, but that's not true of Man On Wire. It's a tale so tall, one so enchanting in its scope and daring, that it must be seen in cinemas.

AL