I Wish I Had Done That - Lacoste "The Big Leap"

If you ever want to see me curled up in the fetal position crying, put me somewhere up high. 

Yes, I am shit scared of heights. 

Now you must be wondering how such a prime example of a man’s man, such as myself could be such a baby when it comes to something like heights.

Well all I have to say is…Spain…Castle…Mountain. But that is another story which is best saved for another day.

Ok so back to me being shit scared.

I have just moved into a high rise condo and we are residing on the 7th floor. Now you can laugh at me all you like as some would say that’s not really a high rise. Which is in theory true, but it is seven floors up in the sky which is pretty high for me.

So in order to try and conquer my fear of heights my wife convinced me to go to the rooftop and face it. There I was, quivering with fear, slightly wetting my pants all whilst hearing the near silent giggling in the corner from my loved one. 

So to distract myself I had to think of something else. And that something else was one of my favourite ads which ironically features a rooftop, a man running across the rooftop and eventually leaping over the edge into the unknown. Not very calming.

The ad I am talking about was for Lacoste. An artful film piece that demonstrates all the emotions that come with falling for someone.

That title of that ad “The Big Leap”.

And what a leap this film was. This film captured an emotion that everyone could relate to. That feeling of wanting to kiss someone. That feeling of suspense and courage to do so. That feeling of going for it with no regard for the consequences. To the feeling inside your body as every atom collides in that moment driven by the intensity that is forever unexplained. To that moment of calm and serenity. To wanting it all again.

That’s why I love this film, it’s the feeling it evokes. The feeling you can relate to. It is also one of the reasons why I think this masterpiece created by Seb Edwards will forever be many peoples favourites.

And it all starts with the importance of the opening shot which hits you right between the eyes. We see a man standing shirtless in the smoke filled unknown. He looks down as we cut to a beautiful woman in an everyday moment sipping a drink, she is extremely happy. We then see him again this time gazing intently at her, deep in thought with something on his mind, something unsaid.

It is amazing, in those three shots you have what you need and have me hooked and I want more. I want to know what it is.

Then the music builds 

It is here through a wide shot that our man is revealed standing on rooftop amongst the clouds. He paces. Breathing heavily. The audience with all their emotions start to build and question “What is he doing?”, “Why is he there?”.

We then cut back to the coffee shop, he is awkward, nervous, you feel his every emotion being pulled through the camera. She is unaware of the ordeal and conflict that is exploding inside of him as she plays with her nails. The build up continues reaching near breaking point.

Then another moment of self doubt creeps into our man. We see him preparing to make a move, but we still don’t know what it is. Then it happens, he slowly moves his hand towards hers, gently touching her fingers, she reciprocates gently. 

There it is. The point of no return. 

We are now back on the rooftop where our man is now running at full speed with no turning back. He nears the edge of the roof and we are then back in the coffee shop. He starts to lean in to kiss her as she gazes into his eyes. 

He leaps.

He flies over the edge of the rooftop into the smoke filled unknown as the music builds. Then even more magic from Seb Edwards as he brings us a series of shots where our man is now falling. Falling through clouds, twisting and turning as he reaches terminal velocity on his journey.

He is getting closer and closer to her, she starts to move towards him. He continues his fall but starts to stabilise.

Then a moment of magic, their two worlds collide. 

She is now falling with him and the two environments start to merge both in the unknown and in the coffee shop. It’s beautiful, it’s connected and it’s emotive and all of this happens while life continues in the background.

Then the kiss, it’s gentle, it’s connected. All of a sudden the terminal velocity starts to slow, time starts to freeze. They are embraced and entwined in each others arms. They continue in their fall together as the energy and chaos affects everything around them in the coffee shop including us.

Beautiful.

Slowly the music dies, the falling slows and we are now back in a moment of calm whilst they move away from each other, staring intently into each others eyes. Topping it off with a beautifully written line, “Life is a beautiful sport.”

What a ride of emotion. 

What a beautiful way to bring this to life.

What a leap.

I Wish I Had Done That.

Gary