Man on a Ledge is so exciting it might make your heart fibrillate. Sam Worthington has really come into his own. He has moved beyond the pyrotechnics and surreal three dimensionality to something far greater, brilliant acting. His supporting cast does not measure up to his level but they are quite entertaining nonetheless. Years ago, my favorite radio talk show host Colin Cowherd made an observation that dovetailed with my thoughts. Cowherd suggested that listing the entire roster of the Dallas Cowboys would be far more entertaining than talking about baseball. Frankly, he was right. Movie lovers, Man on a Ledge has a cast that boasts some heavy hitters. The mere mention of these names will compel you to go to the theater: Ed Harris, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Edward Burns, Kyra Sedgwick, Anthony Mackie and of course, Sam Worthington.
Discussing the minutiae of the plot will inevitably spoil every twist and turn. That would be a huge mistake for me to make. Without the vacillations and the surprises this movie would be about a boring man threatening suicide in the middle of New York City while standing on a ledge. It is the unexpected that makes Man on a Ledge riveting.
For a basic synopsis (which will help you decide whether or not to go to the theater this weekend), former police officer Nick Cassidy (Worthington) has been sentenced to incarceration for 25 years. Nick has been judged guilty of stealing a forty million dollar diamond belonging to David Englander (Harris). He would have everyone believe he is innocent and has been framed so that Englander can collect the insurance money to cover his losses in the stock market collapse. His former partner Mike Ackerman (Mackie) believes him but is powerless to sway the courtroom. While rotting away in prison for over two years his father is dying. This leads to some apparent squabbles between Nick and his brother Joey (Bell). Joey is dating the luscious Angie (Genesis Rodriguez who happens to look like a young Trish Stratus). When (though I will not reveal how) Nick is dangling from a ledge, his counselor of choice is the psychologically fragile suicide counseling officer Lydia Mercer (Banks). Mercer's last attempt to prevent a man's death ended in horrifying fashion.
Man on a Ledge is a film about redemption and retaliation. Nothing is certain, not even the protagonist's innocence. Being kept in suspense while suspenseful events unfold is a trick that Director Asger Leth pulls off with style. Though Ed Harris is forceful and delicious as usual, the real credit belongs to Sam Worthington. The man is a bona fide star. When he entered Hollywood it was a real terra incognita for him. Worthington has had few misses and many bulls eyes. Edward Burns is his usual douchey self and taking another gig based in New York surely plays to his strengths. Liz Banks is tough to separate from her Apatow movies. She seems incapable of not looking like she wants to giggle every two seconds, but she does have that pretty regular kind of gal vibe going nicely. Overall, this is the best movie of the year...so far!
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