Writer: Pablo Fenjves
Starring: Sam Worthington
Elizabeth Banks
Jamie Bell
Anthony Mackie
Genesis Rodriguez
Ed Harris
Rating: ***
Release Date: Out Now
A film with a decent concept that sees it's stars, Sam Worthington and Elizabeth Banks, in a mostly engrossing story, however as the film draws to a close it all crumbles and what starts of as a gripping thriller ends in a dull and clumsy manner.
If you think you know what the film is about, then you're probably right, because basically it does exactly what it says on the tin. Now although the concept may not sound exactly riveting on paper, in actuality the film does involve a lot more than the troubled man, Nick (Worthington), wanting to jump off a building.
It soon becomes clear, via a poorly constructed flashback sequence that quickly falls by
the wayside with a huge anti-climax, that Nick is a former cop who has broken out of prison
after being convicted for a crime he did not commit. While up there contemplating ending it all, he calls for unpopular police
psychologist and negotiator Lydia (Banks) to talk to him, something nobody can quite understand.
Worthington's performance is actually pretty solid, but he does have this habit of trying
too hard to physically convey Nick's emotional state at times,
leading to occasional fits of unnecessary melodrama. Banks gives a more
consistent performance, with her character's straight-talking approach
proving to be a pleasing contrast to the Worthington's manic energy.
Despite their decent performances, there is a huge lack of riveting dialogue between the pair though, meaning that their chemistry and exchanges are nothing special to watch. Still, their interaction is much more enjoyable than the downright bizarre relationship between Nick's brother Joey (Bell) and his slampiece Angie (Rodriguez) in their subplot. As for David Englander (Harris), the movie's big bad, diamond dealer, Harris truly delivers. He effortlessly creates this slimy, vindictive quality that makes you crave his demise.
The film travels at a decent pace, and then the final act happens. It is so
chaotic and convoluted, that it completely ruins a couple of superb creative ideas in
the process. With the filmmaker trying to achieve the perfect resolution, too much is
visually and narratively thrown at the audience in the hope that something works, as opposed to having a clear and focused ending. After the
largely intriguing manner in which the story developed earlier, it's
disappointing to see the tension disappear so quickly.
While the film isn't going to be the best of 2012, it does deliver enough entertainment and
excitement for an escapist trip to the cinema. I think it will do well in the box office, and while it is a good film it really isn't enough for me to say go out and watch it ASAP. It's a shame really, because it had the makings to be a success.
Man on a Ledge - Trailer
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