Man on Wire

PG13

Directed by James Marsh

Starring Philippe Petit and Jim Moore

Heidi’s Illustrious Rating: 4

Word of Warning: It is a documentary and there are subtitles.

Note: I saw this documentary in Denver, but for those of you residing in Northern Colorado, “Man on Wire” is now playing at Lyric Cinema & Cafe in Fort Collins.

I had not heard of “Man on Wire” when friends from Denver called us up and asked if we’d like to go see it at the Chez Artiste. I am not usually fond of going to the theater for a documentary; few documentaries require a big screen viewing. This film, however, is a story of a big dream and seeing the dream come to fruition on the big screen is an intriguing journey.

Frenchman Philippe Petit was born in 1949, with a pension for magic and getting into trouble, Petit ran away from home at age 15. He ended up in Paris where he became a street performer. He became interested in wire walking and taught himself to be an aerialist. 

As a young man, Petit saw a drawing in a magazine. It was a representational drawing of New York City’s Twin Towers – not yet built. In that moment Petit decided he must wire walk between the two towers and began on a journey that would eventually result in his legacy.

“Man on Wire” follows Petit and his friends as they recall the events that led up to his famous walk between the towers in 1974. Real footage is mixed in with reconstructed scenes to create a heady ride for the viewer. Heartfelt interviews pepper the documentary, including many with Petit, who is so intensely energetic I felt tired just watching him.

“Man on Wire” is as much a character study as it is a film about fulfilling a dream. Petit is an interesting individual. His single-mindedness is impressive and I can understand how he persuaded people to help him realize his dream. I also egotism and as the film unfolds, it becomes apparent he wasn’t (and isn’t) always the easiest person to be around.

The film unfolds much like an old fashion heist movie; many scenes are black and white and are accompanied by a magnificent piano soundtrack. Some critics are head over heels in love with “Man on Wire,” and it is definitely a filmmakers’ film. I’m not in love with the movie, but I do think it is a worthwhile documentary.

“Man on Wire” also provides a different way to remember the Twin Towers; not to replace the memories of 9/11, but to remember the towers when they were still casting vast shadows across New York City and inspiring individuals to reach for seemingly impossible goals.