Man on Wire is a riveting documentary chronicling the audacious adventures of professional tightrope walker, Philippe Petit, culminating in his attempt to cross the World Trade Centre. Thanks to Petit’s enthusiasm and incredible storytelling ability the film is ultimately a beautiful exploration of one man’s dedication, self belief and determination to fulfil his dreams.
On August 7, 1974 New Yorkers woke up to the news that a mysterious Frenchman had become the first person to tightrope walk across the Twin Towers. Unknown to many this daring attempt was Petit’s lifelong ambition and took months of planning and covert guerrilla-like tactics to achieve completion. Petit had achieved a certain level of notoriety in his previous attempts at crossing iconic structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was with his most daring attempt at public art that he was catapulted into worldwide celebrity.
The documentary, as with the crossing itself, is a wondrous, uplifting and joyous event. Although the film is a traditional documentary in its use of recreations and first person testimonials, it is the contagious enthusiasm of Petit that makes this an astonishing experience.
The director, James Marsh, brilliantly allows Petit and his cohorts to become the narrators of their own story. The use of home footage showing the intricate planning and rehearsals give the documentary an excitement rarely seen in the genre. Marsh instils the re-enactment scenes of their attempts at penetrating the WTC security with an energy reminiscent of the greatest bank heist films.
Rather than focus on the tragic events 27 years later, the film serves as a celebration of the Twin Towers through one person’s devotion. The event itself could have been dismissed simply as a stunt without merit but thanks to Petit the documentary is a reminder of the limitless potential of the human spirit.
- Review by Sebastian Cordoba.You can view the trailer here on TheVine. It hits cinemas on October 16.