Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Robert Zemeckis, Christopher Browne (Screenplay) Philippe Petit (Book)
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Don, Clement Sibony, Cesar Domboy, Mark Camacho, Steve Valentine, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz
Plot: In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the immense void between the World Trade Centre towers.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Thrilling Biography
Story: The Walk starts as Philippe Petit (Gordon-Levitt) who dreams of walking between the Twin Towers, but of course he wants to give us his back story as a street performer in Paris who learns about the construction of the Twin Towers setting out on the adventure to America while going through other landmarks of the world first.
We watch as Philippe met people along the way to help him achieve his goal including the beautiful fellow street performer Annie (Le Bon) and photographer Jean-Louis (Sibony). Along with the training of Papa Ruby (Kingsley) the four head to New York to work out the plans to make the ultimate high wire performance happen.
The Walk tells the incredible story of the daredevil hire wire who walked between the Twin Towers. This was a remarkable achievement that will never be repeated but I do feel we have seen the documentary Man on Wire which tells the same story in a much more interesting way as we see the real people involved discussing what they experienced. The problem with the story here is that the film focuses on the special effects over the story.
Actor Review
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Philippe Petit is the hire wire daredevil, we watch from his early stages of his performing on the streets of Paris where he learns of the construction of the Twin Towers. Philippe becomes obsessed with crossing this dream as he puts together a team to make this dream a reality. Joseph is good in this role but you never believe his French accent.
Charlotte Le Bon: Annie is a fellow street performer that because the love interest and biggest supporter as Philippe is going for his impossible dream. She keeps him grounded when he starts to get tested by his mental state before the walk. Charlotte is good in this supporting role but doesn’t feel strong enough in the role.
Ben Kingsley: Papa Rudy teaches Philippe every he knows as he comes from a long family of hire wire walkers, he treats him like a son trying to protect him but deep down he knows that Philippe is just as daring as he once was. Ben is good in this supporting role but I do feel like he could have seen more from him.
Clement Sibony: Jean-Louis is the second member of the team after Annie, he is a photographer who Philippe makes his official one, he helps Philippe plan his walk giving fresh ideas on how to make it a reality. Clement is good in the supporting role but falls into the background to easily.
Support Cast: The Walk really has a supporting cast that all blend into one in the background of the story going on.
Director Review: Robert Zemeckis – Robert gives us a visually great film but when it comes to the small screen it loses all the effects it has created.
Adventure: The Walk shows us the adventure Philippe went on to achieve his dream.
Biographical: The Walk cuts out a lot of the important back story of how Philippe got to the Twin Towers.
Thriller: The Walk puts you on edge through the high wire scenes.
Settings: The Walk recreates the settings brilliantly to make us feel like we are with the characters on the trip.
Special Effects: The Walk uses the effects to create the world trade centres and make the high wire scenes wonderfully.
Suggestion: The Walk is one to try but I would say watch the documentary first. (Try It)
Best Part: The Walk.
Worst Part: Misses too much out.
Believability: Based on the real story of Philippe Petit.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Man on Wire
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $35 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Tagline: From the director of Forrest Gump, Cast Away and Flight.
Overall: Good thriller but Man on Wire offers a lot more about Philippe.
Rating
