Best DVDs of November 2008: "Man on Wire"

What it is: Man on Wire is a thorough documentary about Philippe Petit, a French Prankster who, with a small group of friends, illegally high-wire walked between the Twin Towers of New York City in 1974.

Why It's Significant: It's a fine line to walk with any movie that involves New York's Twin Towers.  Especially a movie that documents the heist like qualities of a group of street performers who organized the task of walking between the Twin Towers.  Now, watching this movie where a man high-wire walks between the towers, is surreal and beautiful.  Based on the detailed memoir, To Reach the Clouds, the movie investigates the planning, the passion and fear that went into this daring final act.  The movie delves into the obsessive passion that Phillippe Petit had.  He is quoted as saying, "When I see three oranges, I juggle; when I see two towers, I walk."  Watching a group of circus performers risk their lives and their friendship for such a pure act will touch a chord with any person who has ever been distracted by a dream or a passion.

--Craig

Man on Wire is only the sixth film ever in the history of Sundance to pick up both top awards (Jury Prize and Audience Award in the World Cinema).
Special Jury Award and Audience Award at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.
The International Audience Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
The Standard Life Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.