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Storyline
A thriller in which a battle of philosophies between a fundamentalist Christian and an atheist escalates into a lethal battle of wills. Ultimately, as a test of faith, or lack of it, the believer forces the non-believer onto the ledge of a tall building. He then has one hour to make a choice between his own life and someone else's. Without faith in an afterlife, will he be capable of such a sacrifice?
Written by
Foresight
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Taglines:
One life. One chance. One step.
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Details
Release Date:
26 May 2011 (Belarus)
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Also Known As:
Au bord du gouffre
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Box Office
Budget:
$10,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend USA:
$5,176,
10 July 2011, Limited Release
Gross USA:
$5,176, 10 July 2011
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Company Credits
Technical Specs
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The Ledge, which features an outspoken atheist lead, played in 50 territories around the world, including Indonesia and Turkey. At the time of its release in Indonesia, Alexander Aan was being prosecuted under the country's blasphemy laws for saying he did not believe in God on Facebook and was later sentenced to two and a half years in prison. In Turkey, where the film was also playing, internationally known classical pianist Fazil Say (who often plays with the New York Philharmonic) was being prosecuted for "insulting Islam,' and was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for 5 years, essentially gagging him. (The sentence was overturned two years later). Regular audience members and associates of the accused in both countries contacted the director to ask for his support.
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Goofs
At 1:12:27 into the movie, as the camera pans to Gavin on the ledge talking to Hollis, the sun is high casting only a partial shadow ton the gray building in the background. The camera then switches to just Hollis looking out of the window, and when it goes back to show Gavin again, the shadow on the gray building behind him covers it almost completely. But the next two times we see Gavin at the same spot the shadow moves back and forth, revealing that the scenes were shot earlier but cut in for the sake of the narrative.
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Quotes
[
first lines]
Det. Hollis Lucetti:
Yeah, I'm not really sure I even want to do this. But this couple down at the precinct, they've been at me for this for a year now, and I've known them for 15 years, I mean, John and Jane Connelly, they're real good people, but you know, they can't have kids, so he goes, you know, "If I had a child I'd want to be like Hollis", aw shoot, I don't even know why...
Doctor:
Mr. Lucetti. Mr. Lucetti.
Det. Hollis Lucetti:
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm just so nervous. This ain't my normal routine. You know, in a jar ...
[...]
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Soundtracks
Dirty Fingerprints
Written by Jonathan Spottiswoode (ASCAP)
Performed by Scottiswoode And His Enemies
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It's not hard to put together a monster film. You throw one insane guy together with a hero, and add a car chase. The Ledge is nothing like this, and that's why it's so impressive.
The main struggle is between a Christian with extreme beliefs, and an Atheist who just wants out. Uniquely, it's the only film I can think of that has an openly atheist hero and an A-list cast. And ironically, the few people who have complained about this show exactly what the film is trying to portray: that some people are so intolerant of atheism that even one movie among the thousands in history is too much for them.
To me, the star of this film is Patrick Wilson, who plays the fundamentalist. Instead of becoming a monster, his portrayal links completely normal passions like love and protection and revenge that we can all identify with, but then takes it to the natural conclusion, egged on by his convictions that anything he decides to do must be blessed.
Thus the central thesis of the film -- that belief can go too far -- is played out on a small stage. This is a drama of just 6 people, but the intricate explosions between them pull at the heartstrings far more effectively than a car chase in an action film would. We hear so much about the dangers of religion in big stories like 9-11, gay rights, and abortion rights. Here is a film about the dangerous of religion in the everyday, the dramas so commonplace that everyone who watches can find something in their own lives to compare it with.
Sure, I've never walked out onto The Ledge. But something about the masterful writing and acting in this film creates an authenticity that is undeniable.
Go ahead. Rant against atheism. Show us how intolerant you are. Violent words and deeds are the response of someone backed into a corner, desperate not to lose it all, just like "Joe" is in this film.