Directed by Matthew Chapman
Produced by Michael Mailer, Mark Damon & Matthew Chapman
Screenplay by Matthew Chapman
Starring Charlie Hunnam
Terrence Howard
Liv Tyler
Patrick Wilson
Release date(s) January 21, 2011 (Sundance)
Country United States
Language English
Budget $10 million
Weekend Chart Record
Preview
Story
The movie opens with detective Hollis Lucetti, played by Terrence Howard, receiving the news from a doctor that he has been sterile his entire life. The film quickly switches to Gavin Nichols, an atheist played by Charlie Hunnam, standing on a ledge as if to jump. A small crowd forms below Gavin and Hollis responds to the emergency.
The movie then recounts the story of Gavin and his love for Shana, his neighbor's wife played by Liv Tyler. When the neighbor, a fundamentalist Christian named Joe, finds out that Gavin has been sleeping with his wife, he challenged Gavin to a battle of wills. This involved Gavin jumping off a building to prove his love for Shana, despite his disbelief in an afterlife.
The premise is similar to that of a short story by Stephen King, also called "The Ledge".
Review
The plot is gripping, full of pathos, and well executed. I thought the acting was excellent and the dialogue thought provoking. Charlie Hunnam and Liv Tyler delivered outstanding performances. I felt like I've met all these people in other guise in my life, and they were all very human.
Unlike most modern cinema, rather than skirting the big issues of philosophy and meaning this movie tackles the hard questions head on. It was very refreshing to see how these ideas interacted with the characters and their motivations. I really don't want to give it away. Go see it, make your own decision.
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