| The Ledge | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Matthew Chapman |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | Matthew Chapman |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Nathan Barr |
| Cinematography | Bobby Bukowski |
| Release date(s) | January 21, 2011 (Sundance) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million |
The Ledge is a 2011 thriller film written and directed by Matthew Chapman, starring Charlie Hunnam, Terrence Howard, Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson. The film premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.[1]
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The movie opens with detective Hollis Lucetti, played by Terrence Howard, receiving the news from a doctor that he has been sterile his entire life. When he gets home, he questions his wife about who their children's father is. The film quickly switches to Gavin Nichols, an atheist played by Charlie Hunnam, standing on a ledge as if to jump (commit suicide). A small crowd forms below Gavin and Hollis responds to the emergency.
The movie then recounts the story of Gavin and his love for Shana, his neighbor's wife played by Liv Tyler. When the neighbor, a fundamentalist Christian named Joe, finds out that Gavin has been sleeping with his wife, he challenged Gavin to a battle of wills. This involved Gavin jumping off a building to prove his love for Shana despite his disbelief in an afterlife, or else Shana gets shot. Hollis tries to convince Gavin to not jump, but Gavin jumps anyway, killing himself. Police find Joe and Shana, arresting Joe, freeing Shana.
The premise is similar to that of a short story by Stephen King, also called "The Ledge".
Critics' reviews for the film were generally negative. Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie with a 12% "Rotten" based on twenty-three critics results.