Man on a Ledge

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday from director Asger Leth and Summit Entertainment comes an action adventures started by the “Man on a Ledge”.

This film tells the story of Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), an ex cop serving a 23-year sentence for stealing a huge diamond belonging to mogul David Englander (Ed Harris). After a daring escape Nick enters The Roosevelt Hotel and climbs out the window threatening to jump.

He asks for Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks), a negotiator to help with his problem. What the police below don’t know is across the way is Nick’s brother Joey (Jaime Bell) and girlfriend Angie (Genesis Rodriguez) at England’s vault.

Nick has to stay one step ahead of everyone since he doesn’t know who to trust and who believes in his innocence.

FINAL WORD: Worthington is good as Cassidy but there are problems here. His accent sneaks through constantly AND, seriously, could no one see the earpiece? It makes it hard to believe his character is true when there are flaws that are noticeable. Worthington gets plenty of chances to talk fast, jump far and be the good guy.

Banks is fine. There isn’t anything earth shattering here. There is no stretch nor is there an element of her character being in the story. Harris is also fine as the villain of the piece. He makes every role he takes one that is memorable.

Bell as brother Joey gets a chance to be a high tech criminal and plays extremely well off of co-star Rodriguez. Together they bring not only couples humor to the film but action that is non-stop.

Other cast include: Ed Burns as Jack Dougherty, Anthony Mackie as Mike Ackerman, Afton Williamson as Janice, William Sadler as the “valet” and an appearance by Kyra Sedwick as Suzie Morales.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Man on a Ledge” three tubs of popcorn out of five. Given that this is the first action film of the new year it will find its audience. Unfortunately the story is reminiscent of film “The Negotiator” so the ending was predictable. There is a story here; it’s just not a stand out story.

In the end – you can only push an innocent man so far.