For smarter audiences… MAN ON WIRE

Philippe Petit redefines high-strung. The antic wire-walker, who famously and somewhat recklessly traversed the sky-scraping divide between New York’s fallen twin towers, remains a man of high energy and lofty ambition. In this brilliantly captured (and re-enacted) balancing act, Petit’s big adventure plays out one part THE HOT ROCK and one-part FOG OF WAR. MAN ON WIRE strings us along with the comedic suspense of a 70s caper flick and the shocking candor of an Errol Morris documentary; the animated Frenchman taking on the roles of both Roberts, Redford and McNamara, in a dazzling and intimate review of Philippe’s dream and his determination to make it reality. Though the outcome is certain, breaths must still be suspended awaiting a tragic fall. Then, once back on solid ground, doubt must be embraced — the audience’s questioning of its own fearful limitations. 

MAN ON WIRE was just nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar®. It will compete against THE BETRAYAL, THE GARDEN,TROUBLE THE WATER and ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD.  I.O.U.S.A. should have been included in the mix.

To hear my interviews with directors Tia Lessin (http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/) and Patrick Creadon (I.O.U.S.A.), please click on their names. And, let me know what you think.