Man On A Ledge: Movie Review

Man On A Ledge: Movie Review

Cast: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Ed Burns, Ed Harris, Genesis Rodriguez

Director: Asger Leth

Sometimes, a film title comes along which tells you everything you need to know.

Star Wars, J Edgar, Bridge Over The River Kwai, erm, The Smurfs – just a few of the self explanatory titles which don’t require much brain power.

Now, you can add to the list – Man On A Ledge.

Sam “Avatar” Worthington stars as Nick Cassidy, who is titular Man On A Ledge.

Checking into a downtown New York hotel, Cassidy grabs some food and without any obvious reason, heads out onto the ledge and waits.

Pretty soon, all of Manhattan’s transfixed and watching Cassidy – and sent in to try and talk him down is negotiator Lydia Mercer (a tough and wearied Banks). But Cassidy’s got other reasons for being where he is – and some of it involves his belief he was framed for a $40million jewel theft by David Englander (a somewhat emaciated looking Ed Harris).

So with time ticking against him and police trying to work out how to end this safely, Cassidy begins to realise that nothing is as it seems and trusting people could literally bring on his downfall.

Man On A Ledge is really a case of checking your brain at the door and just leaving any kind of logic behind before the lights go down.

It's a really good premise which is somewhat squandered by the story telling; Worthington makes his plight seem real and plausible; he begins by shouting that "I will exit this world as I entered it - innocent" giving you that curious in you need - and Banks makes a good foil to the potential hero as the tale unfolds.

But the initial start falters pretty soon in and you're into formulaic thriller territory complete with overbaked tense OST; and also due to some preposterous story moments - at one point, Worthington's character is fearful of being on the ledge, then next he can run and jump - and it goes from cryptic thriller to run of the mill actioner, which is a real shame. 

Man On a Ledge is a perfectly serviceable film with a reasonably silly heist movie operating within - it's just that overall, it's unmemorable the minute it's over. It lacks the excitement and tension of a good edge of the ledge thriller despite the efforts of all involved.

Rating: