based on a book by the man himself titled to reach the clouds
it's a tantalising opening sequence of archive footage
showing some home video of petit practicing his art
he's rigged up a wire in his back yard in paris
a young man with a devoted girlfriend pursuing his dream
plans to conquer the world trade centre even before construction
along the way he takes on notre dame and the sydney harbour bridge
again some great historical footage of those events
but a change in tact is used to tell the main story
a mixture of talking heads and event reconstruction
interspersed with still photographs and amatuer videos
some poignant footage of the building of the twin towers
showing the internal structure seen lately as it came down
understandably there is no actual footage of the main event
being the 1974 assault on the world trade centre
actors and a quirky directional technique filling the gaps
props, lighting, movement, as used on a stage show
most interesting though are the tales of his accomplices
balanced with petit himself recalling the event
a fascinating tale of intricate planning and subterfuge
as a ton of equipment and 4 people are smuggled in
raising questions as to (lack of) security pre 9/11
a reminder of a more innocent, naive and calmer world
thankfully there's enough information to explain the finer details
like how a large, heavy, long cable could be rigged up discreetly
i was also curious to know how a long balancing pole was smuggled in
the film is well paced as it builds to the big climax
luckily we know the happy ending and so do not fear for the man
as still photography and some ground based videos show him at play
incredibly he traversed the wire 8 times between the towers
including laying down on the wire over 400 metres above ground
i was bracing myself for a sense of vertigo creeping in
but fortunately the staggering height involved is not pushed
and it's quite a sense of elation as he completes the deed
though it doesn't end there with some post-event analysis
for petit is directly affected and is now a changed man
his instant fame now put to use with his adoring public
though some sad moments as his friends shed some tears
confirming that as much was lost as gained on the day
so there's more happening in the film than just facts
the music of erik satie and michael nyman most effective
beautiful piano music used to add an emotional resonance
depicting petit as a driven but ultimately lonely artist
and powerfully showing his chosen craft to be quite unique
this against the backdrop of knowledge of what would follow
though thankfully no reference to the other big day for the wtc
leaving us to ponder the significance of his day in 1974
still not sure how they smuggled in his balancing pole
just one of many resonating observations about this film
a highly satisfying and equally uplifting experience
