Review of Man on Wire (2008) by Edgar C — 30 Jul 2013

An unnecessarily prolonged documentary, forcefully expanded twice its required length in order to tell a story much more interesting than its cinematic execution. The emotional fillers do not add anything to the story. I appreciate the balance maintained between seriousness and the comedic moments: anecdotes are anecdotes. The commentary regarding how an intrepid pursuit of a life dream that does not fit into the liberalism structure of our economy and the conservative laws around the world is cataloged as "guilty" under the charges of "trespassing" and "disorder behavior" is amusing. We saw the inspirational message of never giving up, of not allowing ourselves to live restricted to rules, etc., coming from miles away. But how can I buy it? A fearless man is recommending me to evolve an intrepid mentality and break borders. He should have also made people remember that such process should not necessarily lead to illegal actions, life-risking activities or simply achievements that surpass average standards, because no profession or ocupation is better than the other, or more admirable.

Wrongfully, the entire story is called at the very end a "love story", because thanks to that typical fanatism that people have for worshipping deeds like that of Philippe, he scored and got a girl, resulting also in sequences of unnecessary graphic sexuality, maybe to remind us of the naughty French spirit? It is indeed a love story, but to a dream come true. The Academy choosing this average documentary over Herzog's work is actually more fearless than Philippe's deed! I rest my case with that statement.

58/100.