THE LEDGE (eOne, 2011) D: Matthew Chapman, w/ Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler. Rating: NNN DVD package: NN Rating: NNN
The Ledge begins with a great idea: a man, Gavin, stands on a narrow ledge atop a tall building, knowing he must jump to his death at noon or someone else will die. He tells his story to the troubled cop who’s trying to talk him back inside.
Confirmed atheist Gavin (Charlie Hunnam) gets so ticked off at his new neighbour’s (Patrick Wilson) religion-based homophobia that he decides to seduce the man’s wife (Liv Tyler).
The clash of faith versus disbelief lets Hunnam and Wilson unleash some lively rants at each other. Each gets his vulnerable moments and credible motives, too. These are complex people, none more so than the wife.
Sadly, they all have to cope with clunky dialogue and overwrought scenes contrived to let writer/director Matthew Chapman hammer home his points. Still, the suspense outweighs the flaws to make The Ledge memorable.
The extras are an embarrassment. Offscreen interviewers stumble through prepared questions while the cast and crew, minus Tyler, recite mostly prepared answers.
EXTRAS Cast and crew interviews. Widescreen. English, French audio. English subtitles.
