Review
Man On A Ledge
There are really many unusual and weird things that we do for money. Our creativity and resourcefulness to earn money was tested during the global financial crisis, a few years back. Most of us who lost our jobs resort to other legitimate means to earn money. But sadly, some companies who lost a big chunk of their assets and earned quite a liability during the economical crisis resort to some illegal means to recuperate.
Overview
This is what the Man on a Ledge is all about. Directed by Asger Leth, Man on a Ledge is a 2012 thriller film that revolves on a man on a ledge of a building, quite literally. He uses the suicide attempt to attract attention and tell everyone that he is innocent. The movie uses a series of flashbacks and action scenes to further explain the reason behind his suicide attempt. There were also a series of action scenes that were held across the building that shows the main character’s motive and plans to show the whole world that he is, indeed, telling the truth.
Features
Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) is a former cop who is accused of stealing a $40 million diamond from David Englander (Ed Harris), a businessman. But according to Nick, he is innocent. It was later on revealed that Englander’s jewelry business lost a fortune during the economic crisis. He framed Nick and made it appear that he stole the diamond so that he can get the insurance money.
In order to prove his innocence, Nick faked his father’s funeral and escaped. He then decided to check in at the Roosevelt Hotel and climb at the ledge of the building to catch the people’s attention. He demands that he wants to talk to Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks). While Nick is telling his story to the police, his brother Joey (Jamie Bell) and Angie, (Genesis Rodriguez), Joey’s girlfriend, was actually breaking into Englander’s jewelry vault to steal the controversial diamond and prove Nick’s innocence. But to their surprise the diamond is no longer there.
This alarmed Englander and took the necessary measures to stop Nick from telling the truth. He calls on the cops who work for him to arrest Nick, Joey, and Angie. As Nick is about to be shot by Englander’s man, Lydia came in and shoots Englander’s man instead. Nick jumped from the roof to the air mattress that was set up earlier by the police. It was then when he caught Englander, got the missing diamond from his pocket, and revealed the truth.
Performance
Man on a Ledge’s storyline is wanting. For one, there are quite a number details in the story that is left unanswered. Like, why would Nick request for a certain Lydia? Also, some parts of the story are not that realistic. The way Joey and Angie were able to break into a high security office without getting caught is questionable. In addition to a far-from-reality storyline, the performances of the characters are all dependent on each other. The main star could even blend into the grey and brown of the ledge of the building where he is standing on a balance.
Verdict
Man on a Ledge may have provided its viewers the suspense and thriller that it promised, but sadly it is quite uninspired. I would only give it a 2 for the effort. They could have made the story’s subplots more realistic and interesting. It is filled with clichés and scenes that are quite far from reality. Given the man on a ledge premise, they could have done better.
