Review of Man on Wire (2008) by Matt D — 26 Aug 2011

There is no question that this is the story of an incredible physical act. Not just the walk across the wire, but also the construction of the rigging. And I suppose without the act, there is no story. But for me it is not the most interesting part of the story.

I think we are all drawn to someone with both the spirit and the talent to do something no one else has ever done. What I like most about the story, however, is the supporting cast. Without them there is no walk and no fame for the walker. Their commitment to this man and his dream is to me more impressive than the walk itself. All these years later, they still feel the huge responsibility of planning so the act could succeed (both in getting past the guards and literally keeping the walker in the air). Their committed support comes off as more heroic than the act of stepping on the wire.

There is also a reminder here that being the one who does something no one else has ever done takes a remarkable kind of selfishness.

It is, of course, impossible not to think of later more tragic events when you see the twin towers. This movie is a reminder of the iconic nature of the buildings even before 9/11. I was struck by the fact that they were completed after I was born and that their life was in fact so short.

I highly recommend this movie for its portrayal of two amazing feats of engineering, an amazing study of character amongst a group of people trying to accomplish something seemingly impossible and, oh ya, I guy walking on a wire.