Man on Wire

2008 documentary

Rating: 16/20

Plot: Phillipe Petit dreams of walking on a tightrope between the World Trade Center buildings, two really tall buildings that used to be in New York City but have since been replaced with bickering and disillusionment. This documentary details his struggles to plan the impossible and the accomplishment of the feat itself while reminding us all that the French are a gay peoples who deserve to be mocked relentlessly.

"Every day for him was like a work of art." That's what Petit's (pronounced PEA-TIT) girlfriend said of him. It's a joy to listen to the title man on the title wire speak of his dreams and his philosophies as he does it so enthusiastically. The story is cool and I love the ideas at the heart of this, and PEA-TIT is an inspirational figure. That, or he's a dumbass. The documentary style, with loads of reenactments (most bizarrely in a gratuitously reimagined sex scene following Petit's release from police custody), isn't always great, and there are some pacing problems, but you've always got to give credit to a film that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat even though you know exactly how everything turns out. The structure and editing keep things entertaining. It's a narrative documentary, but the story's not told chronologically.

This was recommended by lots of people (RD, Larst?). I was supposed to watch it with my brother but he cancelled with a wide variety of excuses including fatigue, American Idol, and something he referred to as (I'm not making this up), a "jerk-off race" which I imagine he would do very well in. I sort of feel bad for watching it without him.