In 1974, young tightrope walking Frenchman Philippe Petit illegally rigged a wire between the twin towers and performed on it for an hour before being arrested. This is the story of the man himself and the clandestine operation that made a dreamer’s wish a reality, soon dubbed the artistic crime of the century. The dizzying imagery, pathos of the twin towers and the vivid way in which history is reanimated form a potent cinematic cocktail that stays with you for days afterwards.
Petit lives up to his star billing by virtue of his impassioned storytelling abilities, which are almost as intoxicating as the daring spectacle that is the film’s focus. You can easily imagine watching him gesticulate for hours on end without growing bored. He personifies every positive stereotype of the French nature that has ever been proffered. The testimonies of his co-conspirators flesh out the details so that it becomes something akin to a heist drama, adding a layer of dramatic intrigue.
Director James Marsh also deserves kudos for the significant value he brings to the screen. In particular, he handles the recreations, which comprise a hefty portion of the film, brilliantly. It’s a technique that almost always drags down documentaries, but here they are amongst the highlights. This is no mean feat when they are in competition with the breathtaking photographic records of the actual event itself. Topping it all off is a soundtrack that would make even the most big budget blockbusters green with envy.
If I was to pick a documentary to convert detractors of the genre, this is my choice. Accessible, artistic and thoroughly enjoyable, what more could anyone want?
