[xrr rating=3.75/5]
If you want to see a movie about a man on a ledge, then I’ve got the movie for you… It’s called “Man on a Ledge.”
Well, here’s a first. Today, I’ll be writing my review of “Man on a Ledge” from my ‘seat on a jet’… I sure hope there’s no ‘snakes on the plane!’
This morning I’m flying down to Virginia to hang with my niece Zoe and my nephews Maddox and Beckett. We’re going to be playing laser tag for Zoe’s birthday! There should be about twenty children playing. I’m feeling pretty bad for the younglings because I am ruthless when it comes to these types of games. Hey, they don’t call me “The Irish Assassin” for nothing. I am also going to be able to watch the Superbowl with my sisters Becky and Faithie, and Faithie’s hunk of a husband, Danny “Shee-dog” Sheehan (He seems to take after his brother-in-law when it comes to handsomeness… His brother-in-law Colin).
It shall be a great weekend. GO PATS! So let’s get to this review. But please, bear with me, I have no internet on this flight, so I’m going to have to wing it (“Wing” it, get it? HA!). I can’t check IMDb for any info on the flick. Last week I saw “Man on a Ledge.” This movie is EXACTLY what the title tells you. It’s about a man, who is, on a ledge!
Ok, plot time. Nick Cassidy, (Sam Worthington) is a cop who is accused of stealing a humongous diamond from David Englander (Ed Harris). Cassidy is wrongfully thrown in jail for this crime and he’s all pissed off! Nick, and his brother Joey (Jamie Bell) come up with an elaborate plan to break him out of jail and prove his innocence by having him stand out on the ledge of a hotel building and fake a suicide attempt to distract the coppers down below, while his brother steals the humongous diamond (yes, to prove that HE didn’t steal the diamond in the first place). Simple, right? Well, a few more pieces got to fall into place for the scheme to work. They need the right suicide negotiator. Enter Lydia Mercer (beautifully played by the delicious Elizabeth Banks). They need her because Englander (Harris) has half the police force in his back pocket! But she ain’t one of them, she’s a good girl.
The story flows along swimmingly and then the movie ends… This is my way of telling you that I’m not saying any more about the plot for fear of spoiling it for you.
Let me tell you about the actors. Sam Worthington: this Aussie actor is taking America by storm. He’s been in three of my favorite movies over the past couple of years. He’s been in “Avatar,” “Clash of the Titans,” and “Terminator: Salvation.” This young man has “movie star” written all over his face (not literally). Then we have Jamie Bell. Here’s another young import from abroad. He is from England, and he’s also making a name for himself here in the states. You may recognize him from “Jumper” or one of my favorite movies of 2008, “Defiance.” It’s a wonderful film, I strongly suggest you see it. Next on the docket is the evil villain of the film, Ed Harris. I’ve always loved Mr. Harris’ work, especially in “A History of Violence,” “The Truman Show,” and 1990’s “State of Grace,” also starring a young, gritty Sean Penn. A great film it is. One thing I noticed about Ed Harris was that he seemed to have lost a boatload of weight. I mean, he was never heavy, but now his head seems to look kind of too big for his body. I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong but that’s just how I saw him in this movie.
Then again, who am I to talk about looks? My nose is much too big for my face. (if you know me well, then you are “lol”ing right now).
Those are just a few of the great actors in this film. I didn’t even mention some other stand-outs in this movie, like Edward Burns, Kyra Sedgwick, and the drop-dead gorgeous newcomer, Genisis Rodriguez. I would also be re-miss if I didn’t mention some of the actors in the movie that have wicked cool names. Johnny Solo, Pooja Kumar, Frank Pando, and Terry Serpico all have dynamite monikers, and are probably swell actors too. By now I think you have figured out that I am off the plane and I’m all over IMDb… You don’t think I knew those people’s names off the top of my head, do you?
Now, let’s get to the question that you all are dying to have answered. Did I like “Man on a Ledge?” Well, I’ll answer that the same way Col. Nathan R. Jessup did in “A Few Good Men” when he was asked if he ordered the Code-Red… “YOU’RE GOD ___ RIGHT I DID!”
I think this movie was a solid film that was easy to follow and had interesting characters and a good story… And that’s all I want. Just entertain me, thank you very much. My work is done here. I’m off to embarrass my niece and nephews and all their friends while I dominate the lazer tag dojo.
Matty W. Kelley
Fun Fact: Sam Worthington was cast in “Avatar” after Jake Gyllenhaal and Matt Damon turned down the role.
Fun Matty Fact: The first time I ever went on an airplane, I jumped out of it. It is probably the biggest rush you can ever have. I absolutely loved it and I suggest you all try it. I’ll go with you!