Philippe Petit is an extraordinary man. Anyone who saw his interview on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton got a fascinating insight into what makes this man tick and how he goes about satisfying it. It’s not just what he does, but how much he appreciates and is excited by doing things, and how it affects other people. Brash, eccentric and slightly self-centred, the Frenchman’s story wouldn’t have evolved without breaking the rules – but wire walking is an act that breaks the rules on its own, the walker defying gravity to create perfect symmetry. Petit wasn’t satisfied with breaking the one rule – he wanted his dream act to be seen on the newest, biggest man-made creation. The Twin Towers.

The precision of his art is vital to Petit because of the extremities he chooses to impose on himself. Before his choice to use the new building (for his feat was back in 1974, one year after the completion of building; it couldn’t have been pulled off in later years), Petit busied himself by travelling the world to walk across other landmarks. Man on Wire centres on the American feat but shows us the process of how he got there through the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Notre Dame walks. British director James Marsh uses real footage, interview excerpts and re-enactments to give us every detail of how Petit’s vision came to life. We are introduced to the faces behind Petit’s team: there’s ex-girlfriend Annie, best friend Jean-Louis and Mark the Australian. The dynamics of the group are thinly showed to us throughout, with more of the emphasis on how the feats affected them afterwards. However, there’s a strong story here as they reveal their thoughts of the time, and a villain emerges in Albert, the American who Jean-Louis never trusted to pull through with his end of the cooperation. He did nothing wrong, but the doubt that came from the others makes you want to dislike him – and for a documentary, it provides a Hollywood-esque interest. This could’ve been an all-out bloke affair but for Annie, who gives the female touch effectively as someone who cares very much for Petit.

Based on Petit’s book To Reach the Clouds, Marsh has woven different footage together to give us a look into the past. The black&white re-enactments with Petit’s voiceovers are intriguing, and cut with flashbacks into the preparations of other feats provides very interesting viewing. While at times confusing, Petit’s fetish for filming everything certainly works in Marsh’s favour. Seeing a much-younger Petit practising with Annie’s guidance is amazing, while collaborations with Mark and Jean-Louis in Sydney bring it that much closer to home for Australian viewers. Each feat completed is something to be marvelled as Petit acquired blueprints, assessed security and gathered the necessary equipment without being caught. Marsh himself was drawn to the idea of Man on Wire because of the intrigue it holds as the most artistic crime ever committed. For that is what Petit’s feats ultimately were: crimes. Although not hurting everyone, on reflection realising how much he compromised security and the safety of not just himself but others also. When these were done in the 1970’s the world was a different place, but it brought about amazement and hope to the people. No doubt this type of feat would do the same, if not more, for people now.

There are few scenes that can be deemed as unnecessary; Petit’s penchant for pretty young things wasn’t really relevant to the film and her admiration for him could’ve been explained differently. It’s also a shame that the police officer to report on Petit’s feat couldn’t be interviewed, as his opinion as the law enforcer would’ve brought a different take on the situation. However, with all of the brilliance of Petit’s zest for life combined with a beautiful story these can largely be forgotten. What we are given is a story of a man who wanted to change how people view the world, to see it as he does. His character is what drives Man on Wire, and while his achievements are nothing short of amazing, the persona adds interest and intrigue.

Conclusion:

Man on Wire is deservedly nominated for a Best Documentary Oscar next month. Well-pieced together, chilling and breathtaking footage give you a cinema experience providing hope and beauty.

*Adelaide viewers can see it on the big screen once more as part of Ford Fiesta’s Moonlight Cinema on Sunday 8th February in Botanic Park.

Follow the author Katina Vangopoulos on Twitter.