Man on Wire

James Marsh, US, 2008, 90 minutes

Philippe Petit’s performance in 1974 is something that should never be forgotten and James Marshe’s documentary proved to be a magical recreation. It tells the story of the career of Petit’s tightrope walking across the two turrets of Notre Dame, the Sydney Harbor Bridge and finally culminating in walking across the vast expanse between Manhattan’s twin towers. It uses the moving accounts of Petit himself, his associates and most importantly the people who helped him pull off this amazing feat.

The film is given impetus by the story rather than through resorting to fancy techniques. In this way the film performs well by allowing the story to generate a strong atmosphere, which builds up through the brilliant use of music to the amazing moment of the actual event of his walk.

The fact that the events of 9/11 were not mentioned is also to its credit because it meant the preservation of the beauty of the event rather than disturbing us with the destruction of the towers. In fact the film caused me to feel even sadder about the sudden ruin of the those two buildings because through this seemingly impossible act he showed why these buildings were so special.

All in all this film is moving for those who knew nothing of Petit’s act as well as those who remember the day as clearly as they do the ruin of the building. It is a wondrously human film with a extraordinary message.

Review by Mirella Yandoli
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2009