MAN ON WIRE

Man on Wire is a fascinating, edge-of-your-seat documentary about French performance artist Philippe Petit and the extraordinary group of friends who help make his vision their own. The film builds constant jeopardy around his preparations and high-wire performances, even though you know he completed the famous walk.

The documentary’s first 90 percent is superb. It offers an interesting morality tale about ambition, friendship, preparation, and the cost of allowing fame to shape a person. But the film also presents rebellion as life’s point, includes discussions of marijuana use, and shows a brief, grainy flashback of a naked couple.

Adults who can engage those ideas and images thoughtfully may find the film worthwhile. For children and young teens, choose something else. The practical answer: WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.

French performance artist Philippe Petit reads about the yet-to-be-built World Trade Center and immediately begins imagining a tightrope stretched between its towers. He practices behind his home, recruits friends—including Annie and his childhood friend Jean-Louis—and prepares by walking between famous structures such as Paris’s Cathedral of Notre Dame and the bridge in Sydney Harbor.

The film follows the planning, risks, and growing personal consequences of an audacious act.

Three stars means this is a very good documentary with a significant late weakness. Man on Wire creates a constant sense of danger and jeopardy, using Petit’s preparation, his friends’ involvement, and his high-wire stunts to hold your attention even when the outcome is known.

The documentary is fascinating and superb for most of its running time. Its final 10 percent, however, falls apart because of the film’s troubling turn in personal and moral direction. The result is an engaging, danger-filled documentary that stops short of being a fully satisfying morality tale.

Man on Wire presents a strong eclectic pagan worldview, alongside some Christian references and rebellious Romantic ideas. Petit’s statement that the point of life is rebellion is especially important. The film also treats sneaking into famous structures to perform illegal high-wire walks as part of the adventure. Petit does not see himself as a criminal because he is not hurting anyone or taking anything, although he knows the actions are illegal.

The film exalts daring, artistic vision, friendship, preparation, and the willingness to challenge death. It also shows how fame can go to Petit’s head. The documentary’s Christian references do not remove its broader emphasis on self-directed rebellion, and the film’s constant jeopardy can make dangerous law-breaking seem thrilling rather than morally serious.

A biblical view can affirm courage, creativity, and committed friendship while rejecting the idea that rebellion is life’s purpose. Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26). The film’s longing to pursue a vision needs to be measured against wisdom, humility, and obedience to God.

Man on Wire is suspenseful, fascinating, and superb for most of its running time. Its rebellious worldview and brief nudity keep it from being suitable for families, while its final section weakens an otherwise compelling morality tale. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For family viewing, choose from.