Get dizzy with Man on a Ledge

DESPERATE times call for desperate measures and being charged for a crime you did not commit would definitely fall into this category.

In Man on a Ledge, Nick Cassidy, played by Sam Worthington (Avatar and Clash of the Titans), takes that desperate measure. Cassidy is willing to pull off a life-threatening move to prove his innocence after being framed for the theft of a rare prized diamond. The diamond belonged to sinister millionaire David Englander (Ed Harris).

Cassidy has recently broken out of prison and has nowhere to go. And before you know it, he climbs the ledge of a towering hotel skyscraper in New York City. Like Snakes on a Plane or Godzilla vs. King Kong, Man on a Ledge quickly proves it's a movie that isn’t trying to trick anyone with an ambiguous title.

As you would expect, his stunt draws a lot of attention – not just from the morbidly encouraging public, but from the local authorities as well. It’s not long before one police negotiator, Lydia Mercer, played by Elizabeth Banks, realises Cassidy’s daredevil stunt masks an ulterior motive – a dangerous ploy to reveal the truth about his tarnished name.

Cassidy’s younger brother Joey, played by Jamie Bell, is his only ally, trying to help as time is running out, especially when on the ledge of a window on the 25th floor.

To its credit, the film has a few unpredictable twists and turns, maintains a fast pace and could be said to be a mash-up of Phone Booth and The Negotiator. Australia’s Worthington gives a solid performance, however, his ocker accent does come through in the movie. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Banks is great as the negotiator.

Man on a Ledge’s visual appeal stems from the sweeping helicopter shots of New York’s imposing skyscraper canopy. The impression of these dizzying heights will doubtlessly fail on your home TV but it makes perfect sense on the big screen. This is the primary reason for making the effort to catch Man on a Ledge in the cinema instead of waiting for a video release.

Vertigo-fuelled heart pounding is the main ingredient in this film’s suspense recipe. This approach works well with the acrophobic cinematography, but the intriguing premise gets a little belaboured after a few preposterous plot devices. Go for the bird's eye view, not depth of storytelling.

For more information on how to win free passes to see Man on a Ledge, check out the SuperLiving Movie Club.

Man on a Ledge is in cinemas now.