Blu-ray Review: ‘Man on a Ledge’ Jumps Into Convoluted Abyss

Submitted by BrianTT on June 13, 2012 - 2:51pm

CHICAGO – “Man on a Ledge” wants to be “Dog Day Afternoon” for the ’10s recession (it’s not coincidental that a man screams “Attica!” at one point). A tale of a man screwed by a corrupt system who stages a complex heist and galvanizes the people of New York in the process could have worked so well. There are great actors and great ideas here. And there’s also the most convoluted, ridiculous, and poorly written script that I’ve suffered through in a very long time.

Rating: 1.5/5.0

“Man on a Ledge” starts promisingly enough. A cop (Sam Worthington) looking at 25 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit rents a room on the 21st floor, opens the window, and steps out on to the ledge. He asks for a specific officer (Elizabeth Banks) to take his case and the film quickly reveals that the suicidal intent is merely a ruse. A complex, ridiculous, convoluted, INSANE ruse. To be blunt, “Man on a Ledge” makes no sense. It relies on too many coincidences to be remotely believable and as the complete lack of logic fades away so does any interest in what’s going on. The sheer talent of the cast keeps it from complete disaster. But it teeters on the ledge.

Man on a Ledge was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 29, 2012
Photo credit: Summit

Synopsis:
In the film critics call a “white-knuckle action thriller,” (Mose Persico, CTV Montreal) ex-cop Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington, Avatar & Clash of the Titans) escapes from prison to plan the ultimate heist: steal a $40 million diamond from cutthroat businessman David Englander (Ed Harris), and in the process prove his innocence. From the ledge of the famous Roosevelt Hotel, with the whole world watching, Cassidy plays a clever game of cat & mouse with the NYPD while his dutiful brother Joey (Jamie Bell) works against the clock to extract the diamond and clear his brother’s name.

Special Features:
o The Ledge Featurette
o Trailer With Commentary By Elizabeth Banks

“Man on a Ledge” stars Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Jamie Bell, and Genesis Rodriguez. It was directed by Asger Leth.