SINGAPORE : “Man on Wire” is a movie documentary about how one man's harebrained scheme became a historical achievement. Philippe Petit, a French tight-rope walker, made headlines around the world when he completed a death-defying high-wire walk between New York’s World Trade Center towers.

This Oscar-winning film traces Petit's incredible journey as he plans with his friends and disciples to make his impossible dream possible. Interviews and archival footage will show you how the idea started, how he carefully planned the whole shebang and finally, the momentous crossing that made him go from madman to cult hero.

I - for one - felt a twinge if sadness while watching “Man on Wire” because it shows many images of the majestic Twin Towers, buildings we will never get to visit like Petit and company because of their horrific destruction at the hands of terrorists seven years ago. But this film hardly addresses it.

Instead it celebrates Petit's love of life and adventure, as this daredevil and consummate performer obsesses over every single detail to bring about this historic high-wire walk, despite the many setbacks and heated disagreements.

Fans of heist movies will enjoy “Man on Wire” because the overall treatment and tone of the film is shot in the heist-genre fashion. It's also one of those films that will inspire many of you out there that your wildest dreams are achievable as long as you put your mind, heart and soul into it. And give it heaps of time to develop as well!

“Man on Wire” is a compelling watch and breathtaking, considering the beauty and sheer audacity of it all. But it's a little slow, and this will make you check your watch towards the end.

- CNA