Wire Men

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For me, Man on Wire (Magnolia, opening in late July) -- the story of Petit's illegal high-wire walk between the World Trade Center's towers in August 1974 -- is the most stirring and suspenseful film of its kind that I've seen since Touching The Void. It's too electric and gripping to be called a mere documentary; another term has to be found. The L.A. Film festival screening happens tonight at Westwood's Crest theatre.

Man on Wire director James Marsh (l.) and celebrated wire-walker Phillipe Petit about 75 minutes ago (4:25 pm, give or take) at the Four Seasons hotel.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 20, 2008 at 5:36 PM

comment #1

raygo says ...

I went to the World Trade Center in 1976 on a senior class trip. I can't wait to see this film. I'm sure it will be bittersweet.

Posted by raygo at June 20, 2008 7:54 PM

comment #2

longrunner says ...

This was probably the best film I saw at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto earlier this year.

Marsh combines vintage footage (much of which has never been seen beforeÃ¢â‚¬â€œin fact, he was the one who had it developed for the first time) and stills with re-creations and present-day interviews with the principals to tell a remarkable tale from a more innocent time. Juggling these different techniques for telling the story, he has as deft a hand with film as Petit has with the high-wire. And both men are expert storytellers. Marsh is a filmmaker who is doing something interesting with the documentary form. Films like this one are why I go to festivals.

Posted by longrunner at June 20, 2008 8:58 PM

comment #3

BurmaShave says ...

Good living or good genes, what have you, Petit is absurdly well preserved. If you wanted to tell me that was Glen Hansard I'd have to take a second look. Can't wait for this one, when does it roll out?

Posted by BurmaShave at June 20, 2008 10:42 PM

comment #4

CinemaPhreek says ...

But does the doc explain how a wire was strung between the two buildings to pull off the feat?

Otherwise, it smells of a publicity stunt that the WTC folks gave the ol' wink-wink, nudge-nudge to in order to get some publicity.

Posted by CinemaPhreek at June 20, 2008 10:52 PM

comment #5

Rothchild says ...

CinemaPhreek,

Uh, dude. That's the whole point of the movie. It's brilliant, funny, fascinating, and moving. You really have to admire the gigantic balls he had. His plan was ingenious and incredibly risky. I spent most of the movie laughing at the audacity of his actions or on the edge of my seat.

Posted by Rothchild at June 21, 2008 6:20 AM

comment #6