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Man on Wire

2008

James Marsh

Documentary, Self: Philippe Petit

7.4

11,886

Documentary On August 7th 1974, a young Frenchman named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between New York's twin towers, then the world’s tallest buildings. After nearly an hour dancing on the wire, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation, and brought to jail before he was finally released. Following six and a half years of dreaming of the towers, Petit spent eight months in New York City planning the execution of ... [+]

	Media	Author	Review
		Roger Ebert rogerebert.com	"[It] is constructed like a first-rate thriller (...) 'Man on Wire' is about the vanquishing of the towers by bravery and joy, not by terrorism.(…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)"
		Robert Koehler Variety	"One of the most wildly entertaining docs of recent years."
		A. O. Scott The New York Times	"Walking on air between the towers. (...) [A] thorough, understated and altogether enthralling documentary. (...) [A] lovely, touching film"
		Ann Hornaday The Washington Post	"'Man on Wire' tells a gripping, improbably affecting story but also a deeply cathartic one, as a place of loss and grief is transformed, briefly, into a place of transcendence and lyricism."
		J.R. Jones Chicago Reader	"In archival photos Petit seems to float between the towers, a tiny black figure against a vivid blue sky; the images are all the more poignant for the unstated fact that Petit is still around when the buildings aren't."
		Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter	"A highly entertaining, deeply moving film (...) Marsh presents the story in an undeniably uplifting, inspirational manner"
		Peter Bradshaw The Guardian	"James Marsh's documentary about this sublime piece of audacity does full justice to Petit's vision (...) Petit is a rare, exotic beast, and a wonderful one (…) Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)"
		William Thomas Empire	"It’s hard not to succumb to [Petit's] enthusiasm, courage and unremitting dedication to what he argues is a true artform (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"

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