Man On Wire

In 1974 daredevil wirewalker, Philippe Petit, carried out the greatest ‘artistic crime’ of the twentieth century by fastening a cable between the roofs of the two towers of the World Trade Center and walking across it.

At a time when all films seem to have the sub text of the 9/11 disaster lurking in the background; it is a breath of fresh air to watch a documentary where the towers are portrayed as a symbol of hope, of human endeavour and of man’s unyielding urge to go where no man has gone before.

Our animated and tenacious hero, Philippe Petit, narrates the story along with the rest of his crew taking us through the years of preparation which was required to pull off this incredible act. From the first moment when Petit was inspired; by drawing a line between the towers in a dentist office, to the thrilling events of breaking into the World Trade Center and actually executing the heist.

Petit saw this mission not as a performance but as a bank job and that is how director, James Marsh, treats the subject. He has masterfully constructed this tale into what feels like a 70’s crime thriller; opening the story as the crew are infiltrating the World Trade Center and twisting the screw of tension almost to breaking point only to jump out for rest bite and fill in the back story which fleshes out the characters and efforts which they have taken to get to their point of no return.

Yet underneath the excitement of this compelling narrative lies the story of two men, Philippe and Jean-Louis, who are as if bounded by fate to be on this mission. Philppe’s blind determination is balanced by Jean-Louis’s pragmatism. As if Jean-Louis is destined to be carrying the weight of potential failure for Philippe so that he can blindly step into the abyss between those towers with child like glee and excitement.

Man On Wire is an uplifting and thrilling story which dares you to chase after your dreams no matter how peril filled they may be. A must see.

4.5/5