Ledge [Blu-ray] [2011] [Region A] [US Import]

The Ledge is a stunningly intelligent film that explores life at many levels; beliefs, morals, commitment, gender politics, religion, loyalty, and above all, betrayal. For such a simple movie it punches well above its weight.

Perhaps a little slow in its narrative for some viewers, I found it to be perfectly balanced, although I confess that elements of it fit in with my view of the world and my understanding of the destructive power of religious fundamentalism.

OK, so I have given a quite a bit away, but this film is more than just about religion; its about morals in general, love and charity, and above all about the narcissistic arrogance of judgementalism.

I recently reviewed a film with a similar starting premise, 'Man On A Ledge', but all you ended up with was a dumb downed tale of greed and corruption. In The Ledge you get the whole of life in a nutshell portrayed in a simple tale by a first class cast.

Rock on for intelligent films like this.

This film was definately worth a watch.. especially on a rainy day.. (as it is today..) OK. This flick tells the story of Gavin, an athiest who crosses swords with Joe, a Christian extremist. Caught in the middle is Shanna, Joe's wife.
As Gavin strikes a relationship with Shanna, Joe puts Gavin to the ultimate test.. his faith, or the lack of it?

Pretty cool film, a very stylish thriller. Kept me thinking about the worse is going to happen between the characters.

Also some good extras.. Interview with Terence Howard, Patrick Wilson and Charlie Hunnam.

***This review is for the movie only ***

I was lucky enough to see an advanced screening of this film and im so glad i was given the chance because it is a little gem.

The opening of this movie you see a man, walking up to a ledge, getting on it, looking down at the view from the ridiculously high building he is standing on and getting ready to jump.

Of course this is not your average suicide movie, it actually has a very good back story.

The story is told in flash backs as told by Gavin to a police detective Hollis.

Charlie Hunnam plays Gavin, an assistant manager at a hotel who strikes up a friendship with the new neighbours in his building Shayna and Joe, played by Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson.
Shayna and Joe are very religious people and Gavin is an atheist, they have very conflicting opinions about life, and philosophy.

Shayna and Gavin strike up a friendship and over the course of this fall deeply in love.

Joe finds out that they are having an affair and challenges staunch atheist Gavin to the ultimate test of faith, jump off the building or Shayna dies.

Terrence Howard plays the police detective Hollis who is having the worst day of his life and is sent out to talk Gavin into not jumping.

The film whilst at times predictable has a very clear message about religion and homosexuality and persecution of gay people in todays society, and that people still believe to this day that "god" can cure the "homos". Ridiculous.

The chemistry between Charlie and Liv is off the charts, Charlie is hot anyway but man watching him fall in love with Shayna is something else and the love scenes, well, very graphic and very erotic.

I was outraged, and sad, and shocked in this movie but i came away with a feeling that i had just been given a lecture and thoroughly understood it without having to study.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would quite happily watch it again and so i will be purchasing it when it is released on dvd.