Mercifully Short Review
by Jonathan Empson

Weathered, chiselled, stony, of pleasing proportions but getting trampled all over… No, I’m not talking about the ledge, I’m talking about Sam Worthington, playing Nick Cassidy, the man standing on it.

We first meet Nick as he checks into a Manhattan hotel, orders a room-service last supper, wipes down his prints then steps out through the window onto the eponymous ledge. A crowd gathers, a negotiator (Elizabeth Banks) is called, and we then discover Nick has escaped from prison with a plan other than a long drop.

This is quite a fun and engaging heist film that’s only let down by its overabundant tropes – the evil property developer, the getting-past-security-via-the-aircon-ducts. And how gooey is that ending? (Ha! You’ll have to find out.)

7/10
Australian Release: February 2, 2012.

Jonathan Empson’s TV script Chromewas nominated for an AWGIE in 2010.

His recently completed historical drama-comedy feature Leonardo’s War is in circulation, and his black comedy-thriller Get Out of Here has been optioned.

He is represented by Rick Raftos Management.

The scene in this clip is a trademark Cameron setup.

Remember the unobtainium – ‘floating rock’ scene in Avatar? That is a case of exposition that some love and others loathe.

This scene from The Abyss sits around about the same time into this movie and sets up an equally important concept, which will be crucial in the movie’s climax.

The scene is in my view one of the most supreme examples of exposition. It combines character and tension with essential story information.

It shows how James Cameron has always been a tremendously gifted screenwriter.

Enjoy!

In fact – and contrary to the unobtainium scene – Ron Cobb confirmed to me that the fluid breathing system is not sci-fi but fact.  Hippy’s rat is submerged in actual fluid breathing system liquid and in this scene it is really breathing underwater. Apparently, Beany the rat survived for quite a while afterwards and died of natural causes.

(On the contrary – as you might have guessed – in the movie’s climax Ed Harris did not breathe liquid. The glass of his suit was tinted amber to suggest it was filled with the liquid.)

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Karel

Karel FG Segers

Karel Segers wrote his first produced screenplay at age 17. Today he is a story analyst with experience in acquisition, development and production. He has trained students worldwide, and worked with half a dozen Academy Award nominees. Karel speaks more European languages than he has fingers on his left hand, which he is still trying to find a use for in his hometown of Sydney, Australia. The languages, not the fingers.

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