Man On A Ledge parents guide

Man On A Ledge Parent Guide

Although "Man On A Ledge" is a movie adults may enjoy, the high language and violence issues might make the film a risky recommendation for teen viewing.

Overall C+

All eyes are on Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington), an ex-cop and ex-con, who stands on the ledge of a New York City skyscraper proclaiming his innocence in a former diamond robbery. Yet as a police psychologist (Elizabeth Banks) tries to talk him down, she begins to wonder if his suicidal protest isn't just a stunt intended to distract law enforcement officers.

Release date January 27, 2012

Violence C
Sexual Content B+
Profanity D+
Substance Use C+

Why is Man On A Ledge rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Man On A Ledge PG-13 for violence and brief strong language.

Run Time: 102 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) is determined to prove his innocence. Serving the beginning of a 25-year sentence for the theft of a $40 million diamond, the former cop decides to take more drastic action after he is denied the right to a retrial. And he gets that chance when he is granted permission to attend his father’s funeral. Bolting from the cemetery, Nick narrowly escapes from the guards that accompany him.

With his newfound freedom he enlists his brother Joey (Jamie Bell) in a plan that will hopefully prove the diamond is still in the hands of its owner David Englander (Ed Harris) and, in turn, accuse the wealthy Manhattan resident of insurance fraud. The elaborate setup requires a major distraction to keep eyes away from the building where Englander’s vault is located—a distraction like a man about to jump from a high ledge across the street.

Perilous from start to finish, this is one movie that won’t induce snoozing. Good pacing and a reasonably solid plot with few holes make the setup believable. Added to the mix is young detective Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks) whose initial determination to save the unknown suicidal man helps to generate empathy for the ex-con protagonist.

Profanities, while not extremely frequent, are heard throughout the film and include a single use of a sexual expletive. There are also physical confrontations that escalate into gunfire. As a result, characters are shot and a bloody wound is depicted. Perhaps even more concerning for parents is the initial theme of a man appearing to contemplate suicide, as well as the notions of using crime to fight crime and putting other citizens at risk in order to prove one man’s innocence.

Although Man On A Ledge is a movie adults may enjoy, the high language and violence issues might make the film a risky recommendation for teen viewing.

Directed by Asger Leth. Starring Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell. Running time: 102 minutes. Theatrical release January 27, 2012. Updated

Man On A Ledge
Rating & Content Info

Why is Man On A Ledge rated PG-13? Man On A Ledge is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for violence and brief strong language.

Violence: Moments of peril occur throughout this film. Characters engage in violent confrontations with fists and guns. A convict uses a compassionate leave pass as an opportunity to escape—he wrestles a guard to the ground and drives recklessly through a cemetery to evade police. A car is hit by a train and thrown to the side of the road, the driver is not injured. A man steps on to a high ledge outside his hotel room window and appears to be contemplating suicide. Characters break into a vault. Characters engage in vigilante justice.

Sexual Content: A female character is seen in her underwear and cleavage revealing clothes. Brief sexual innuendo.

Language: Single sexual expletive, some scatological and other moderate and mild profanities are used. Terms of Christian deity are also heard.

Drugs/Alcohol: A character drinks and briefly smokes a cigarette to relieve stress. Another smokes a cigar.

 

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Man On A Ledge Parents' Guide

In trying to prove his innocence, the protagonist in this film not only puts himself at risk, but also many other people. Is threatening their safety justified in this case? What other alternatives could Nick have explored? What happens early in the script to make it appear that this is his only choice? How does this add rationale to his actions?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Man On A Ledge movie is May 29, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Man On a Ledge

Release Date: 29 May 2012

Man On a Ledge releases to home video with the following bonus extras:

- Trailer with commentary by Elizabeth Banks

- The Ledge

Related home video titles:

Sam Worthington stars in the movie Avatar and Elizabeth Banks appears in The Next Three Days. A police psychologist is also called in to negotiate with a man holding hostages in a hospital emergency room in the movie John Q. Another man decides he must use crime to fight crime in Tower Heist.