Man on a Ledge

It’s not promising when a movie uses showy plotting as a crutch, as director Asger Leth does in Man on a Ledge. Escaped convict Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) is on the window ledge of a downtown Manhattan hotel to prove his innocence. We’re completely in the dark at first: the movie starts with Nick prepping for his faux-suicide act, and works its way in and out of the past. Meanwhile, there’s a robbery going on (it’s all part of Cassidy’s plan) that’s inexplicably elaborate, but throw in some gadgets and a catsuit, and anyone can pull off a heist, apparently. It’s simultaneously too complex and nonsensical, the twists a cheap attempt at thrills. You’re supposed to be concerned about Cassidy jumping but the movie doesn’t make you care. -Molly Segal