‘Man on a Ledge’ Latest Hollywood Hit Job on the Rich
by Christian TotoYou’ll never guess what the villain in the new movie “Man on a Ledge” does for a living.
No, Ed Harris’ character isn’t a crusading journalist, a nonprofit executive or a green energy czar. He’s a… wait for it… super rich real estate developer out to smite the common man. Harris plays him with all the requisite sleaze the Oscar winner can muster, which is plenty.
It’s Donald Trump without the unfortunate hair, but more importantly, the role represents Hollywood’s latest attack on the rich. It’s a trend already seen in recent fare like “In Time,” “Tower Heist,” and “A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas.”
“Ledge” producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura told The Huffington Post that the film’s choice of villain is no accident.
The system keeps lining up against the little guy. The movie is meant to convey that in a completely entertaining way, but the underlying desperation that drives the decision-making is that you can’t catch a break in the system if you’re not a guy of privilege.”
By channeling real-estate mogul Donald Trump, in all his blustering arrogance, Ed Harris makes himself the perfect target for multiplex audiences battered by the economy. But he’s not the first onscreen businessman in recent months to assume the villainous mantle once reserved for Nazis, Communists and Islamic terrorists on screen. “Hollywood is full of a lot of people from the one percent,” di Bonaventura said, “but it also tends to be a group of people that are very cognizant of the 99 percent.
Yes, actors, screenwriters and directors are very “cognizant” of the 99 percent-ers, except they get to enjoy all the perks of the one-percent club while blasting their financial-sector peers.
What’s more depressing about the villain selection is how little imagination it requires. Shouldn’t a screenwriter take pride in his or her work and not want to repeat what everyone else is doing?
And that “villainous mantle” once reserved for Islamic terrorists didn’t actually happen. Just ask anyone who saw “The Sum of All Fears,” which swapped out terrorists for a more politically palatable choice of villain.
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54 Comments
Lazy. Lazy and uninformed. "The system" this clueless producer is supposedly attacking isn't what's keeping the common man down. It's the octopus of a government we have these days. It's not the rich, it's politicians looking for every little power-grab they can muster.
This producer is childish and devoid of critical thinking. Shame because I like most of the cast. Although Worthington has a hard time being a lead he comes off as very likable. Jamie Bell never disappoints, and Genesis Rodriguez….holy hell is she gorgeous……
Here's some advice for Hollywood: Stop trying to make a political statement and just make movies, you dolts….
Ok, I just turned 40, so I've been around a little while to remember, but let me throw this out there – does anyone recall Hollywood entertainers SO specifically tied to activism via their work?
Seems like every other week, there is a movie starring Penn, Clooney, Streep, Damon, Ed Harris, et.al., that is inextricably tied to their liberal politics. It has gotten so extremely hard to separate them from politics, in fact, that I believe they frankly don't want us to anymore. The lines between their acting careers and political activism are completely blurred.
Thinking back, however, I don't recall this dynamic. Was that just the ignorance of my youth, or have they just become more overt and fervent in their preachiness? Oh sure, I remember the politics of "All the President's Men" or "Coming Home," but those films – besides being very good (I know, Jane Fonda's in one…ugh) – are nowhere near the level of outright propaganda coming out today. "President's Men," in fact, is one of my favorite films, and overwhelmingly fact-based. There's never really a moment when they tell us what to think about Nixon or his abuses.
Where is this fairy tale world where everyone gets everything he wants without having to work for it?
Yeah, just goes to show how this town knows their audience. And how they like to promote the idea of "Do as I say, not as I do."
Mmmm… Ed Harris never won an Oscar…
I was watching "Ghostbusters" recently, and I was struck because the villain was an EPA bureaucrat. And all I could think was "You would NEVER see that in a movie today."
Also recently watched "Armed & Dangerous" with John Candy from the 80s and the villain is the union. The union is portrayed as a bunch of thugs who basically steal from the workers. And again all I could think was "You will NEVER see that in a movie today."
Times have changed.
yes! good point, and the villian in Cone Heads was an INS bureaucrat. We need more films with government villians!
What bothers me is the continued revival of classic film in order to twist plots to coincide with PC trends of today. The original with Richard Basehart is still the benchmark, and anything else is but a shadow. I'll not see this one because I just can't stomach Ed Harris.
JOE S., HOLLYWOOD NATIVE AND LIB BASHER REPORTING IN:
LMAO! Hollywood 1%ers "cognizant of the 99%"? Someone tell that lefty hack Director that the Kettle is on the phone and wants to speak to him.
As I posted earlier this week, Hollywood's Donut Hole logic means that these 1%er Industry Insider Liberals exploit legions of college "interns" as free slave labor to fetch coffee, file documents, answer phones- all jobs that Wall Street and Detroit (or any decent businesses) are forced to pay wages for-
Interesting how, for instance, multimillion-dollar Hollywood firms like Redford's Sundance Institute think lowly college-aged workers don't need to be paid , but under the Bright Lights these same Hypocrites write $35,000 checks to the Democratic Party because they're on the side of , um, the 99%.
See for yourselves:
——————————————————– http://english.clas.asu.edu/node/1606
The Film and Media Studies program in the Department of English is pleased to announce its First Annual Sundance Film Festival trip from January 24-29, 2012, available exclusively for Film and Media Studies and English undergraduate and graduate students. Students will volunteer as members of The Sundance Film Festival Theatre team, helping to usher, take tickets, manage lines, and run its theatres.
Accreditation, air transportation and accommodation will be provided for all selected students.
Living accommodation will be a 4 bedroom, 4 ½ bath home that is walking distance to Main Street of Park City, Deer Valley Resort, and the bus lines to the Festival theatres. Two faculty members will serve as mentors and share accommodation with 5-8 students.
———————————————————
The armed forces are the only Hollywood approved government villain.
This is the same Ed Harris who wouldn't stand and applaud Elia Kazan when he was honored for his career. It shouldn't surprise anyone he's starring in this agenda driven propaganda.
"…you can’t catch a break in the system if you’re not a guy of privilege.” says Lorenzo di Bonaventura
….And that explains the reign of the Privileged President – Barack Hussein Obumbler…..
Hollywood, CA.
The Grey is fantastic. See it today.
That gives me an idea for a movie: a female student intern comes up with an idea for a screenplay which she submits to a swarmy "progressive" film director/producer. The director/producer invites the girl to his home in the Hollywood Hills to discuss her idea. She accepts and, while at the producer's house, is drugged and raped. The female intern recovers long enough to escape from one of the producer's goons who was taking her dump her in one of the seedier parts of East L.A. The intern is rescued by a retired stuntman who is also a conservative who loathes the producer who stole the affections of the stuntman's fiance and got her hooked on drugs. They go after the producer after they learn that he has signed a deal to turn the intern's screenplay into a major movie. They are assisted by other disaffected interns and movie industry people that the producer has "crapped on"…
Oh, that is so…yeah, that's good.
This one has FLOP written all over it.
Hell, make her 13 or 14 years old and title the screenplay "The Ninth Gate" and Hollywood will think the director is the protagonist and the girl and stuntman are overreacting.
Representing the ol' 99% while they swipe luxurious swag at Sundance.
You been readin' Brad Thor?
My gosh – I wish I had that as a bumper sticker or yard sign!
Gentle Readers,
Dear Mr. Toto,
Point well taken. Hollywood could easily make
movies where the villian is a conniving, manipulative,
eco-socialist ' community organizer ', but, instead,
vilify businesspeople.
For this particular story, the villian almost has to
have this profile – a very rich, respected and
powerful businessman.
Otherwise, he couldn't pull off the crime as
described. A drug dealer can't frame a hero
cop that easily.
Sincerely,
John Lepant Brighton CO
Just when I think I have heard the dumbest ideal for a movie, Hollywood surpasses it, not incremental steps by leaps and bounds. Wonder why DVD sales are down? GIGO is still alive and well. (Garbage In Garbage Out)
Thought he won for The Truman Show…
Despite his big Lib-ness, I have always had a soft spot for Ed Harris. Loved him as John Glenn in The Right Stuff…as Virgil in The Abyss…as Christof in The Truman Show…as Hummel in The Rock…and as Smith in The Way Back.
Billy,
What makes it even more telling is that they continually deny it. They think that most of us are stupid.
Another "brave and cutting edge" portrayal by Hollywood of the wealthy. I don't suppose the antagonist in this movie is named Kennedy or Kerry? Nahh, that will never happen. Shucks – he's probably a … REPUBLICAN!
Just another case of the half-wits in Hollywood taking aim at an easy target. BTW, aren't many, if not most of the studio suits in Hollywood quite wealthy? Just wondering.
Ed IS a very good actor. I just disagree with his politics.
Great points from tcm14 and Lens_Larque.
"Personally, I liked the University; they gave us money and facilities, we didn't have to produce anything. You've never been out of college. You don't know what it's like out there. I've worked in the private sector–they expect results!"
-Dan Ackroyd's character Dr Raymond Stantz in "Ghostbusters"
Tell me Toto, do you consider "It's a wonderful life" a left-wing movie too? I mean the villain of the movie, mr. Henry F. Potter is a rich guy who doesn't care about the poor, he just wants more money. He's the evil guy. But I've never heard you complaining about the liberal bias in that movie. Instead you praise the movie all the time.
If you can't even spell his name correctly you're going to lose in November.
Very cognizant of the 99%…
The same way vampires bats are very cognizant of cattle.
What liberal bias? Potter was plain and simple an old DB. I don't know anyone who liked Mr Potter. He would have been hated if he were left or right. He was an old turd who was willing to let Jimmy Stewart (a WWII pilot) go to the slammer for Uncle Billy's mistake. Besides, "It's A Wonderful Life" had a deeper message to convey. And it was a good movie.
It's the rich and the politicians; one beholden to the other.
It's unfortunate that you're completely clueless in how an ever widening wealth gap doesnt serve democracy but rather undermines and inevitably will make it impossible. We will then be ruled by an oligarcy of the uber rich if we aren't already.
The first thing conservatives need to do is stop labeling people who seek a more even(not equal as some inequality is good for society)distribution of wealth as communists or socialists. It's an ad hom, emotionally based and requires ZERO critical thinking.
Ridiculous. Your mindless devotion to the idea that the rich are to blame for some idiotic gap in wealth ignores the fact that the government is the one restricting people from making their own way.
Wealth redistribution does not work. You want to create some fantasy land where gaining wealth is as easy as demanding it from someone else. It's childish and is so far from reality you may as well wish for unicorns.
Grow up….
Stewart's character in the movie wasn't a pilot because of the bad ear he got from rescuing his brother as a kid.
Stewart's character in the movie wasn't a pilot because of the bad ear he got from rescuing his brother as a kid.
What was the last 'slap in the face' to me was "The Day the Earth Stood Still." They had to twist a few lines and suddenly it was all about saving the earth rather than mankind. Truly maddening.
One of my favorite parts of Iron Man 2 is when Tony Stark goes before a Senate panel hearing that is trying to basically steal his Iron Man technology for the good of the people and Tony unloads on them with both barrels and essentially tells them to take a hike.
"Shouldn’t a screenwriter take pride in his or her work and not want to repeat what everyone else is doing?"
Someone's obviously never been to a WGA gathering.
Indeed. I was VERY suprised to see that fly in a movie in this day and age. Now THERE'S a screenwriter with a sack.
The reason why I never really bought into the need for an ATLAS SHRUGGED adaptation is because GHOSTBUSTERS had already captured the Randian spirit in its purest form, even if that likely wasn't the filmmakers intent.
"It's unfortunate that you're completely clueless in how an ever widening wealth gap doesnt serve democracy but rather undermines and inevitably will make it impossible"
Undermines democracy? You say that like it's a bad thing. Its unfortunate that you're completely clueless of the fact that the USA is not and has never been a democracy for a very good reason. Our Consitution is based on the basic God-given rights of the individual, not whatever the majority wants. But in your sick head, the ideal would be for there to be enough of yor kind to simply rob and kill (the real implication of "more equal distribution of wealth") anyone you desire just because you have the numbers to do so. That's called mob rule and has no place in a civilized society. So take your precious democracy and shove it. I'll keep my God-given rights and protect them from parasites like you.
Tony Stark: I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it! But I did you a big favor.
[stands and turns to face the Senate]
Tony Stark: I've successfully privatized world peace. What more do you want? For now! I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns…
Senator Stern: [Bleep] you, Mr. Stark.
Senator Stern: [Bleep] you, buddy.
That's good stuff, for sure. I like how at another point Tony exclaims, "I don't care about the liberal agenda any more, it's boring."
Is it attacking the rich, or attacking the greedy. There is a big difference. One can be rich but not greedy, but greedy is to the bone.
Poor people make crappy villains, genius. Keep up the hot air!
I think any Liberal who watches a movie today that is slanted to the Left's agenda is so brainwashed by the time they are 9 yrs old that they don't know they are being played as a fool by the Liberal elite
No different than the Islamo Jihadists (elitists) who "train" their kids to play with dolls that come complete with little suicide vests.
The Liberal elite are no different than the Islamo elite.
Both groups trick the lower, sub-class into doing the dirty work for them while taking all the credit.
Hollywood – hypocracy is thy name!
See a better 'man on a ledge' movie without an agenda – FOURTEEN HOURS – 1951
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043560/
An unhappy man threatens suicide by standing on the ledge of a high-rise building for 14 hours.
Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barbara Bel Geddes, Agnes Moorehead, Jeffrey Hunter and a great supporting cast.
Here's the entire film on Yputube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz_ndBRNLIM
It does not matter to me. I would not see the film anyway with Ed Harris. He can go f##k himself. I think he said that one time to Pres. Bush. So Ed…go F**K yourself you liberal prick!
Liberal people make crappy commentators. Go back to POLITICO!!
No, Jimmy Stewart was an actual pilot in WWII.
I think in the movie George Bailey was deaf in one ear because his character got a fever when he saved his brother from drowning in the movie. Something like that.
how many years until ed harris winds up doing reverse mortgage commercials to pay the taxes on his mansion? he has alienated well over half the audience with his assinine pontification. his presence is a kiss of death to any movies profit potential,sort of like susan sarandon and her ex wife tim robbins. attach any of their names to a movie and black ink will not be in the final financial report on the project. eds little "i missed my nap and am very cranky" tantrum aimed at president bush was the camel back breaking straw that moved him from the rock to "it closed in 4 weeks after making back 9% of its cost" freedom of speech does not provide fredom of consequences for said speech. keep up the soap box spouting. I cant wait for the eventual inevitable "I have to sell it all on ebay to keep out of a welfare motel" sale. does ed honestly think he will be getting cast as "grandpa" in anything with all his vitriol?
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