Recently Watched: Man On A Ledge
Obviously, this one was The AD‘s idea.
Man on a Ledge is about…well, a man. Named Nick Cassidy. Who is on a Ledge. And he’s mad at some people for putting him in jail, so he’s going to get back at them… Actually he’s not going to do anything except stand on a ledge and charm the people of New York City. His brother and his brother’s unnaturally attractive girlfriend are going to do most of the leg work when it comes to the revenge part of the story… but I digress.
Anyway, was the movie original? No, not really. Was it entertaining? More or less. I’d say it’s a good flick to see if you have a coupon for the theater. Otherwise add it to your Netflix cue.
I do however like the overall design of the film. I know what you’re thinking, 90% of this movie takes place on a ledge, how could I possibly like the “design” of a film that seems to have no design? Well, Man on a Ledge is a good example of a mainstream-non-period-peice-non-quirky-non-time-burton type films. In films like these, the art department’s job is to design a set so well, that it’s barely noticed. The sets we see in Man on a Ledge show us a cold, urban, gritty New York. We see lots of greys, browns, chrome and concrete. A New York where evil men get rich and honest men get screwed. A New York where desperate men have to do crazy things to get noticed. A New York where…. well, you get the point.
Still not convinced? Check out this trailer for Man on a Ledge:
See how industrial everything is? Check out the black and chrom hallways of Englider’s building– sleek, but chilly.
Now check out this trailer from another film designed by Man in a Ledge Production Designer Alec Hammond that’s also set in NYC, The Backup Plan:
Apparently, J-Lo lives in a totally different NEw York City than Nick Cassidy does: J-Lo’s New York is a colorful, fun, beautiful place where anything is possible Nick Cassidy (played by Sam Worthington) lives in a concrete hell…
Sadly, I think Nick’s New York is way closer to my reality… I mean seriously, that romantic rainforest patio had more trees in it than there are in central park…jeez.
