I walked up to Redbox simultaneously rubbing my hands with glee but also doubtful because we haven’t had much luck in the movie department. One of the first movies I noticed was Man on A Ledge. At first, I thought it sounded really dumb but…as soon as I saw the words diamond heist I didn’t need to read anymore.
Of course I won’t mention that I left the movie in the shopping cart in the parking lot and had to return and then pay for it again. Nope, not going to mention that at all!
So, if you couldn’t tell, I love, love, love heist movies and I love studying them. #plotnerd #savethecat. So here goes.
Opening Image:
Nick Cassidy eats his last meal in a hotel (alone), wipes down all his fingerprints, writes the suicide note, and then climbs out the window and onto the ledge.
Theme-stated:
For me, it’s hard to pick out the moment they reveal the theme because I’m watching the movie and taking notes, but the strong theme of looking beyond the facts to find the truth is very apparent.
Set-up:
During a flashback, we learn Nick might have been unfairly imprisoned, he’s an ex-cop, and he escaped while attending his father’s funeral.
Catalyst:
During the flashback we learn Nick’s appeal had been overturned and he’d be in jail for 25 years.
Debate:
Tricky in a heist movie because there is usually not a huge character arc but I’d say his debate occurred when he was denied the appeal. Obviously, he chose to do something about it and escape!
Break into Two:
Nick Cassidy says he won’t talk to anyone but Detective Mercer, so Act II starts for me when she shows up at the window to talk Nick out of jumping.
B Story:
The subtle romance between Nick and Mercer as she tries to do her job and he plays her and stalls for time.
Fun and Games:
Joey Cassidy, Nick’s brother, and his girlfriend break into a nearby building to steal a diamond while Nick draws all the media attention.
Midpoint:
Due to a news helicopter, Nick is recognized, and we learn he was previously in jail for already stealing the diamond.
Bad Guys Close In:
We see David Englander, the owner of the diamond, talk with dirty cops to “take care” of Nick.
All is Lost:
Nick reveals to Mercer that he’s been communicating with his brother through an earpiece, and Joey states that the diamond is not in the vault. (They were counting on it to prove Nick’s innocence.)
Dark Night of the Soul:
Per the usual heist movie or book there is not a huge character arc, nor a dark night of the soul.
Break into Three:
The tactical team arrives from helicopter and the chase begins when Nick breaks back into the building.
Finale:
Nick resteals the diamond and proves his innocence. This simple sentence doesn’t begin to show the amazing climax. (We learn the man who owned the diamond had previously framed Nick to recover financially from the insurance money from the supposed theft of the same diamond.)
Final Image:
At the start he was eating alone and now he’s in a bar with Mercer, his brother and girlfriend, and his Dad. Yes, a nice twist at the end and it’s confirmed that this elaborate heist was planned and a success!
Overall, I really enjoyed this heist movie especially because the motivations behind it were personal with Nick’s freedom on the line. And I learned that Man on a Ledge is a cop term for a potential suicide.
And I loved seeing the similarities between this break down and the break down of Heist Society by Ally Carter.
Do you like heist movies? Any good ones? If not, what do you like to watch?