Rating: 8 of 10
Ever said to yourself that your dream is too big? That what you want to do is impossible? Then I dare you to watch this documentary right now.
Synopsis: “On August 7th, 1974, a young Frenchman named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between the New York World Trade Center’s twin towers. After dancing for nearly an hour on the wire, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation, and brought to jail before he was finally released. This extraordinary documentary incorporates Petit’s personal footage to show how he overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges to achieve the artistic crime of the century.” (source)
My thoughts: I stumbled on this film whilst browsing the documentary section at the library. Not sure what compelled me to get it because I’m not overly fond of heights. A couple hours later I was coming down from an adrenaline rush I rarely experience during movies anymore. It was riveting! Based on Petit’s book, To Reach the Clouds, which was later re-released in paperback as Man on Wire and The Walk, this story is about someone obsessed with accomplishing that which he said he’d do. Perseverance, determination, passion, and yes probably a dash of madness.
After watching Petit’s story and after the rush had worn off, I asked myself, “And why haven’t you gone after the ‘impossible’ yet, huh?!” Because nothing I dream of doing is anywhere in the universe as risky and dangerous as what that young man did.
Highly recommended if you enjoyed the 2015 adaptation THE WALK with Joseph Gordon-Levitt portraying Philippe Petit. Even though I knew the true story, I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole way through THE WALK. My pulsed raced; I even experienced vertigo and had to look away at one point.
Check out MAN ON WIRE official website | on IMDb | Watch the trailer | Listen to Philippe Petit’s TED Talk
(Watched DVD on 3/21/2016)