Man on a Ledge (released in theaters on Jan. 27, 2012) is a propulsive, multi-layered thriller that revitalizes the “wronged man” trope with a vertical twist. The film functions as a high-wire balancing act between a tense suicide-watch drama and a sophisticated, blue-collar heist movie.
By utilizing the sheer drop of a Manhattan hotel as its central stage, the film creates a literal and metaphorical sense of being pushed to the brink. It is a sleek, urban puzzle-box that demands the audience keep its eyes on two places at once: the desperate man on the precipice and the intricate gears of a revenge plot turning in the shadows below.
Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), an ex-cop and escaped convict, checks into the Roosevelt Hotel, climbs onto a twenty-first-story ledge, and threatens to jump.
As the NYPD swarms the street below, Nick demands to speak only with Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks), a disgraced negotiator still reeling from a past failure.
While Lydia attempts to talk Nick down, the media circus led by a sensationalist reporter (Kyra Sedgwick) ignites a frenzy, and the police leadership, including Jack Dougherty (Edward Burns) and Dante Marcus (Titus Welliver), struggle to maintain control.
However, Nick’s suicide attempt is an elaborate distraction.
Across the street, his brother Joey (Jamie Bell) and Joey’s girlfriend Angie (Genesis Rodriguez) are breaking into a high-security vault owned by the ruthless real estate tycoon David Englander (Ed Harris).
Nick was framed for stealing a legendary diamond from Englander, and the only way to prove his innocence is to find the jewel that Englander claimed was gone.
As the heist unfolds in real-time, Nick must keep the police’s attention fixed on the ledge while navigating the suspicions of his former partner Mike Ackerman (Anthony Mackie).
The narrative builds to a heart-stopping climax where the truth behind the frame-up is revealed, forcing Nick into a literal leap of faith to expose the corruption and reclaim his life.
William Sadler also appeared in the film as the hotel’s valet.
Anthony Mackie in Man on a Ledge (Photo/Summit Entertainment)
Reception for Man on a Ledge
Man on a Ledge grossed $8 million on its opening weekend, finishing fifth at the box office.
The film would gross $47.6 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Man on a Ledge two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Man on a Ledge is a clever, high-concept entertainment that successfully blends different genre elements into a cohesive whole and is remembered for its practical-looking visual effects and the palpable sense of height that makes it a harrowing experience for viewers with a fear of open spaces.
The movie is also noted for Harris’s quintessentially sharp villainy and for its portrayal of New York City as a character in its own right, utilizing the architecture to heighten the stakes.
Today, Man on a Ledge is viewed as a standout of the modern heist genre, praised for its technical execution and its ability to keep the audience guessing until the final, breathless drop.
