(2008)
Much praise deserves to be extolled upon this documentary, which won the “Best Documentary Feature” award at the 81st Annual Academy Awards earlier this year. In fact, 100% of the 141 reviews gathered by Rotten Tomatoes are deemed to be positive appraisals. So at the risk of sounding redundant or trite, I offer my own thoughts on the film...
When I first heard the title of this film, I immediately questioned whether the filmmakers would be able to keep the audience engaged for 90 minutes with such a seemingly pedestrian act. My apprehensions quickly dissolved. The structure is laid out early on, with focus alternating between convincing reenactments of “le coup” (Petit's code word for the event), gripping stock footage of the Twin Towers being built, vintage film clips of the team preparing for the siege, and brilliant 16mm footage of Mr. Petit accomplishing stunning feats atop other worldly landmarks. The montage is elegant, as the various acts meld together like a walk through a carnival.
Petit proves to be a worthy protagonist, with his unbridled enthusiasm and strong storytelling prowess. He controls the tone of the film, building tension as he recalls vivid details from decades ago. He takes on the role of performer with ease (you may recall he performed a magic trick at the podium moments after receiving the Oscar). Not only was he fortunate enough to have been born with and to discover this gift within him, but he is bold enough to perform on the most beautiful stage conceivable. The performance was downright profound, as it served as such a clear illustration of the limits of human achievement.
Trivial Tidbits:
- The titular wire weighed 450 lbs.
- Petit was later granted lifetime access to the Twin Towers' Observation Deck.
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