Phillippe Petit is a man with a dream, and who was lucky enough to see it fulfilled even while he was a young man. The mission: to walk on a tightrope across the World Trade Center(s). He succeeded, and is sadly, the only one who ever has.
Director James Marsh paces his documentary like a thriller, with decent re-enactments interspersed with real footage and exuberant interviews with the main players who recall the event like it was just yesterday. The director takes Petit and co.'s word seriously: this was like a bank heist. For them, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Some people may shrug and ask what's so great about a man walking on a tightrope. Indeed, to some it my seem like a trivial, show-off act. And yet the romantics in us all - which this film truly appeals to - look at such an achievement and marvel at it. A success story that all of us love to hear, but not quite want to emulate.
"Don't look down" does not apply to him.
It is not just a recount about the particular WTC tightrope event, but also a biography about Petit's life, including his past achievements that now seem trivial compared to that.
Yet, listening to his story does make one wonder - what happens after you have done what you wish to do? I somehow dread the thought of having reached a peak and having nowhere to go but down. Petit seems satisfied with his achievement and so do his friends. His recount of the aftermath does live one thoughtful, however. What else to do? For him, it is finished.
I leave it to you, whether to come away inspired (I was) or shaking your head in bemusement at a man and his dream.
Director James Marsh paces his documentary like a thriller, with decent re-enactments interspersed with real footage and exuberant interviews with the main players who recall the event like it was just yesterday. The director takes Petit and co.'s word seriously: this was like a bank heist. For them, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Some people may shrug and ask what's so great about a man walking on a tightrope. Indeed, to some it my seem like a trivial, show-off act. And yet the romantics in us all - which this film truly appeals to - look at such an achievement and marvel at it. A success story that all of us love to hear, but not quite want to emulate.
"Don't look down" does not apply to him.
It is not just a recount about the particular WTC tightrope event, but also a biography about Petit's life, including his past achievements that now seem trivial compared to that.
Yet, listening to his story does make one wonder - what happens after you have done what you wish to do? I somehow dread the thought of having reached a peak and having nowhere to go but down. Petit seems satisfied with his achievement and so do his friends. His recount of the aftermath does live one thoughtful, however. What else to do? For him, it is finished.
I leave it to you, whether to come away inspired (I was) or shaking your head in bemusement at a man and his dream.
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