MAN ON A LEDGE (Rated PG-13)

The story of “Man on a Ledge” is so wildly improbable and preposterous that pompous film critics may consider leaping from a tall building after one viewing. Now that would be some great entertainment.

For the very reason that this thriller is implausible in countless ways, the adrenaline-pumping outcomes are ridiculously entertaining to the point that the opinions of snooty critics are immaterial and easily ignored.

Directed by documentary filmmaker Asger Leth, “Man on a Ledge” is a film devoid of pretensions. It only seeks the meticulous thrills that come from staging an elaborate heist or standing precariously at the edge of certain death.

The film opens with Australian actor Sam Worthington (“Avatar”), no stranger to the occasional tough guy role, checking into a Manhattan hotel under an assumed name.

After a hearty breakfast, with champagne to boot, in his room on the 21st floor, the nattily-dressed mysterious stranger exits the window facing an office building to perch himself on the ledge.

Of course, this dangerous stunt attracts the immediate attention of passersby as well as the NYPD. TV reporter Suzie Morales (Kyra Sedgwick) starts broadcasting from the scene, hyping the sensationalist aspect of a threatened suicide.

Meanwhile, the phlegmatic NYPD detective Jack Dougherty (Ed Burns) ends up on the scene at the hotel room, trying to talk the mystery man down from the ledge.

To explain what is happening, a flashback takes us to Sing Sing prison where Worthington’s Nick Cassidy, a disgraced former NYPD cop, faces a 25-year stretch for a crime he disputes having committed.

Nick’s former partner Mike Ackerman (Anthony Mackie) appears to believe his colleague’s innocence, though his efforts on Nick’s behalf also seem rather nuanced.

Even Nick’s own family, particularly his younger brother Joey (Jamie Bell), apparently doubt his version of events, evidencing palpable sense of betrayal.

Soon enough, as the scene reverts to the Roosevelt Hotel, one starts to ask the question of why Nick has not jumped already. Well, duh. Then the movie would end too soon.

The larger point, of course, is that Nick is waging a psychological battle, which is why he requests to speak only to controversial NYPD negotiator Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks).

Having failed to save the life of a jumper at the Brooklyn Bridge, Lydia is battling her own inner demons, which is why we first see her being called to action as she recovers from a massive hangover.

As damaged souls, Nick and Lydia have more in common than one would suspect. Their conversations on the ledge create a certain amount of emotional heft.

I am loath to give away much of the surprises in store, so it is a nearly insurmountable challenge to address the unfolding events to any significant degree.

Suspense comes from not whether how long Nick can hold on to his precarious outdoor perch. Bigger things are happening in the vicinity, and none of it is good for the villain of this story.

Ed Harris is appropriately despicable as crooked land baron David Englander, who figures prominently in Nick’s fate.

While Nick remains the man on a ledge, Englander is being targeted in a daring heist of an impregnable safe protected by the high-tech security of his penthouse office.

One thing for certain is that one member of the heist team turns out to be the sexiest accomplice for the job. Genesis Rodriguez proves unforgettable as she strips down to her lingerie in order to wiggle into a tight-fitting latex costume.

“Man on a Ledge” may prove to be ultimately forgettable, but its high-octane energy delivers the goods for the momentary enjoyment of this exciting white-knuckle thriller.

Take pleasure in the suspenseful thrills of this popcorn movie, and then later on you can dissect the evident flaws when it no longer matters.

TELEVISION UPDATE

Few race tracks are more beautiful than California’s Santa Anita Park. It’s the perfect setting for the new HBO drama series “Luck.”

The talent behind this effort is impressive. To get off to a good start, Episode One, written by David Milch (“Deadwood”), is directed by the legendary Michael Mann.

The front-of-the-camera talent is also first-rate. It’s not often that a TV series brings together Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte and Dennis Farina.

Set in the world of horse racing and gambling’s denizens, Hoffman stars as Chester “Ace” Bernstein, recently released from three years in federal prison.

Given his criminal record, “Ace” gets in the racing business by using his driver and bodyguard (Dennis Farina) as the front man for his ownership of the $2 million Irish race horse, Pint of Plain.

Meanwhile, veteran trainer-turned-owner Walter Smith (Nick Nolte) has his hopes pinned on a promising colt, but there’s a dark history and a shadow of scandal behind the horse.

We’ll soon see if HBO’s “Luck” is aptly named, but with a great cast and beautiful horses, there’s hope for a fortunate outcome.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.