MovieChat Forums > Man on Wire (2008) Discussion > A Case for Petit

A Case for Petit

posted 15 years ago by CapnColonel
6 replies | jump to latest

I've read that a lot of people on these boards seem to think poorly of Petit based on his behavior towards his friends. After watching the movie twice, I have to say that I don't think Petit is self-absorbed at all.

To me, Petit embodies the "free spirit." He is one of those unique individuals so enamored with art that he transcends the normal cares of life. Everything and everyone is a means to an end, and that end is beauty. He doesn't look at life in terms of relationships, loyalty, right and wrong, safe and dangerous--these are things for the rest of us to fret over. He simply locks his gaze on beauty and pursues his true lover without thought or consideration. Not to say we should all live like this, but we need people like Petit to show us how to transcend our problems and recognize the beauty all around us.

Like the quote from Shawshank, the normal troubles of human life are a cage for people like Petit--His feathers are too bright, so he needs to be freed from them. It is also worth noting that every person that ever gave a part of themselves to Petit did so knowingly. His ex even said that she knew from the start that she had two options--follow his destiny or leave him to follow her own.

These are only my thoughts and opinions. Feel free to leave your own.

[–] marvelfan23 15 years ago

I agree 100%. Your writing perfectly put what I feel about Philippe Petit. I am writing a paper on it actually, thank you so much for referencing that Shawshank quote. It's great.

[–] gmisc8 15 years ago

I think that this is one of the clearest, most accurate descriptions of Petit I've read here. Too many people want to demonize him, or belittle his accomplishment because of his treatment of his friends and girlfriend. People with extraordinary talent and drive are not necessarily the most loyal, altruistic or selfless people. I think the film succeeds at showing Petit the man, with his faults and flaws, as well as his particular brand of genius.

It also seems clear to me that his longtime friends were completely committed to helping him achieve something that they found compelling, amazing and beautiful (as I did, watching it). Their commentary in the film, with so many years of hindsight, obscures the question of whether they were blind to his character failings, or were resigned to them all along. But just because a film is a documentary doesn't mean that everything in it is true, or that we know everything there is to know about these people. Life and love and friendships are complicated and messy, and happily-ever-after endings are rare outside of romantic comedies. I liked the fact that the film included a look at those relationships because they round out the story, but they are not the main story.

[–] SnoopyStyle 15 years ago

I have to say that I don't think Petit is self-absorbed at all.

I think he's completely self-absorbed.
And I'm fine with it.
Does he care about anything more than this stunt? No.
Did he get it done? Yes.

[–] donstuie 15 years ago

The dvd includes an interview with Petit, and he comments about the cut of the film, how it makes it seem as though he basically abandoned his friends and girlfriend after he had done the stunt. He says he drifted apart over months and years with all of them, which is totally normal.

[–] lolamaemama 15 years ago

"Everything and everyone is a means to an end, and that end is beauty. He doesn't look at life in terms of relationships, loyalty, right and wrong, safe and dangerous--these are things for the rest of us to fret over. He simply locks his gaze on beauty and pursues his true lover without thought or consideration."

That's pretty much a definition for "self-absorbed."

[–] ObstinateAnnette 15 years ago

That's pretty much a definition for "self-absorbed."

I disagree. He was selfish, but not self-absorbed. If he was only concerned with himself, how could he put his own life in such danger accomplishing these "artistic crimes"? He was/is an artist, and he is obsessed with creating beauty - pure and simple.

Extremely gifted people are very often selfish and thoughtless toward those around them. Think Hemingway, Picasso, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, etc. You might not want to be their friend, but you can't deny their amazing talents.

Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes