Man on a Ledge is a 102 minute film about; well you guessed it, a man on a ledge but that title does not do the intense and edgy drama enough justice.
What appears to be a run of the mill suicide attempt quickly evolves into a media and police frenzy. New Yorkers gather below the 25th floor window as escaped convict Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) puts his life on the line, or ledge, in order to prove his innocence. Honouring the jumper’s wishes, the NYPD grant him a one to one chat with the now infamous police psychologist Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks) who attempts to talk him down.
However, suspicion is raised after we see that his scenic stroll, taking in the views only offered by the ledge outside your hotel room is part of his desperate attempt to exonerate himself from a 25 year stint behind bars. Cassidy protests that he was framed for the theft of a rather expensive diamond owned by David Englander (Ed Harris) and instead of cracking out the jazz hands to attract the attention he requires, by threatening to jump off of the building owned by the very same man, he manages to ruffle the feathers of the police and of the mass media that set out to cover the unfolding story.
This provides the perfect distraction for a Mission Impossible style heist on the other side of the street. There are stunning gadgets for all you technology fans, teeth clenching moments for all you suspense fans and a semi-naked thief for all you lady fans. Cassidy’s brother Joey (Billy Elliot’s Jamie Bell) provides some of the best action of the film as he attempts to pull of the heist.
Their plan; to steal the diamond Cassidy was accused of stealing in order to prove he didn’t steal it, which is not as confusing as it sounds.
Although the simplicity of the title reflects the simplicity of the ending; the film’s twists provide some brilliant bumps in the otherwise nice and straight Hollywood road. With witty one liners, mainly courtesy of our English counterpart, the varying layers of the plot, along with the tense soundtrack and gritty New York setting provide the making of a very good crime film.
While watching the opening, it’s hard to see how you can make a 102 minute long film solely about a man on a ledge, but the various pieces that are slowly built together to create an intricate and intense plot that leaves you constantly guessing at the ending.
Man on a Ledge is a surprisingly good film after seeing the unimaginative title that’s worth watching with a nice bag of popcorn. It may not take up that much brain power but it definitely requires your attention, and won’t leave you disappointed.
Haven’t seen the film yet, but it appears to have a “Phone Booth”-esque feel to it. Which, I might add, was a very clever film. Might have to give this one a go, despite me not coming a less inventive film title since “Snakes on a Plane”!