Jason KingMan on Wire ($13-)
October 30th 2008 05:05
Category: No Category
Man on Wire ($13-)
James Marsh's dazzling, invigorating documentary MAN ON WIRE tells the story of a truly inspiring figure. In the early 1970s, a fiery young Frenchman named Philippe Petit wanted to shake up the world. When he saw the World Trade Center being built in New York City, he found his mission. Petit was a trained high wire walker, and his goal was to set up a wire between the two towers and give the world a show it could never have expected. As is often the case with these endeavors, the actual high-wire walking was the easiest part of the plan. For nearly seven years, Petit worked on the project, recruiting associates who supported him every step of the way. Finally, after eight months in New York, the day came when Petit and his cronies jumped into action. This wasn't easy. They had to find a way to sneak past security and make their way to the top of the towers with heavy equipment, at which point they had to battle the elements to install the wire. After many close scares, the time came for Petit to realize his dream--and the rest, as they say, is history. Marsh crafts MAN ON WIRE like a heist film, presenting rare and fascinating footage of the actual event alongside flawless reenactments and modern-day interviews with the participants. The result is an immersive, emotionally gratifying motion picture, made all the more stimulating by Michael Nyman's electrifying score.
To be perfectly honest the guy is a pure and absolute nut bag, stark raving mad hospital case but it's this eccentric determination that places him slightly above the category of "straight jacket please" to genius. His skills are phenomenal and I was so surprised by how they could make a film and release it in cinemas and make it successful. I thought - come on, National Geographic Channel or something on a Sunday afternoon. But I was really wrong, this film is captivating and the mix of color and black and white film and the styling of the production will keep you thoroughly engrossed.
The films has many laughs, a few sad moments including a friend who likes to cry at the drop of a hat and some sensational footage. You will notice these guys are all hippies at heart and the journey was more of the act than the final act itself. I would also like to smoke some of the stuff they are clearly on in some scenes. In his lead up to the Trade Centre he climbs and walks between a few notable icons, mainly noticable for Australians is his walk between the two north pylons of the Harbour Bridge over peak hour in the early 70's. Go those Kingswoods!!
One question that came to mind is where on earth did he fund this escapade? He was organising this for years and regularly flying between France and NY. The film is also a great homage to an act of good that occurred at the World Trade Centre as opposed to what it will forever be immortalised as. If they even attempted to do now what they did then they would be locked away and never see the sun again.
Thoroughly enjoyable docco that is now playing at art house cinemas. I would like very much to thank the lovely people at Nixco who when told I could not attend a screening sent a copy to my house for me. Very kind!! Go watch this for something different and take the whole family. Worth $13-
James Marsh's dazzling, invigorating documentary MAN ON WIRE tells the story of a truly inspiring figure. In the early 1970s, a fiery young Frenchman named Philippe Petit wanted to shake up the world. When he saw the World Trade Center being built in New York City, he found his mission. Petit was a trained high wire walker, and his goal was to set up a wire between the two towers and give the world a show it could never have expected. As is often the case with these endeavors, the actual high-wire walking was the easiest part of the plan. For nearly seven years, Petit worked on the project, recruiting associates who supported him every step of the way. Finally, after eight months in New York, the day came when Petit and his cronies jumped into action. This wasn't easy. They had to find a way to sneak past security and make their way to the top of the towers with heavy equipment, at which point they had to battle the elements to install the wire. After many close scares, the time came for Petit to realize his dream--and the rest, as they say, is history. Marsh crafts MAN ON WIRE like a heist film, presenting rare and fascinating footage of the actual event alongside flawless reenactments and modern-day interviews with the participants. The result is an immersive, emotionally gratifying motion picture, made all the more stimulating by Michael Nyman's electrifying score.
To be perfectly honest the guy is a pure and absolute nut bag, stark raving mad hospital case but it's this eccentric determination that places him slightly above the category of "straight jacket please" to genius. His skills are phenomenal and I was so surprised by how they could make a film and release it in cinemas and make it successful. I thought - come on, National Geographic Channel or something on a Sunday afternoon. But I was really wrong, this film is captivating and the mix of color and black and white film and the styling of the production will keep you thoroughly engrossed.
The films has many laughs, a few sad moments including a friend who likes to cry at the drop of a hat and some sensational footage. You will notice these guys are all hippies at heart and the journey was more of the act than the final act itself. I would also like to smoke some of the stuff they are clearly on in some scenes. In his lead up to the Trade Centre he climbs and walks between a few notable icons, mainly noticable for Australians is his walk between the two north pylons of the Harbour Bridge over peak hour in the early 70's. Go those Kingswoods!!
One question that came to mind is where on earth did he fund this escapade? He was organising this for years and regularly flying between France and NY. The film is also a great homage to an act of good that occurred at the World Trade Centre as opposed to what it will forever be immortalised as. If they even attempted to do now what they did then they would be locked away and never see the sun again.
Thoroughly enjoyable docco that is now playing at art house cinemas. I would like very much to thank the lovely people at Nixco who when told I could not attend a screening sent a copy to my house for me. Very kind!! Go watch this for something different and take the whole family. Worth $13-
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