Documentary focuses on impish daring of Philippe Petit

Philippe Petit is alive.

Alive and quite well, in fact, nearing 60 but exhibiting the strength and enthusiasm of a man half his age. That in itself is a bit of a miracle, considering the myriad death-defying acts the French high-wire artist has pulled off over the past four decades.

"Man on Wire" focuses on his most dangerous and dazzling feat of all, the one that got him arrested and made him an international celebrity.

In August 1974, Petit walked across a wire that had been strung illegally between the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the tallest buildings in the world at that point. But the word "walk" doesn't even begin to do justice to his performance that day. Petit practically floated on air, 1,350 feet above Lower Manhattan, and he made it look effortless. Not only did he cross back and forth for about an hour, he also stopped to kneel on the wire and even lay down on his back.

But he made it -- and he's alive. And the fact that we know he's alive in no way depletes director James Marsh's documentary of its suspense. Petit is such an impish, infectious storyteller, and he's so obviously happy to narrate his own wild tale, he actually adds to the thrill. Petit makes you wonder: How in the world did he do this? He makes you perch on the edge of your seat, longing to learn more.

Petit and his co-conspirators -- a motley crew of friends and troublemakers from around the world -- secretly and meticulously worked through every step of the plan as if they were robbing the bank. Sitting in the audience, feeling as if you're in on the scheme with them, is just one of the film's many joys.

- By Christy Lemire / Associated Press

Man on Wire

Rating: 4 stars (out of 4 stars)

Cast: Philippe Petit, Paul McGill, Ardis Campbell, David Demato.

Running time: 94 minutes.

Rated: PG-13; some sexuality, nudity and drug references.