The Walk

We've seen a plethora of films based on true stories, but how many have we seen which is based on an epic adventure centering on the obsession on one individual? Probably none. Sure the recent "Everest", sill in the theaters is an incredible adventure, but even it involved many people. Then there's the film "The Impossible", but, again, it involved the survival of a family, not just one individual. But now in the offing we give you "The Walk".

The year is 1974. Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man-- Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)-- has ever, or ever will walk in the immense 140 foot void between the New York World Trade Center towers. Guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), supported by his artist girlfriend Annie (Charlotte La Bon) and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, Jean-Louis (Clement Sibony), Jeff/Jean-Francois (Cesar Domboy), Barry Greenhouse (Steve Valentine), Jean-Pierre/J.P. (James Badge Dale), Albert (Ben Schwartz), and David (Benedict Samuel), Petit and his gang overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan.
Robert Zemeckis, the director of such marvels as "Forrest Gump", "Cast Away", "Back to the Future", "Polar Express" and "Flight", again use cutting edge technology in the service of an emotional, character-driven story. With innovative photorealistic techniques and IMAX 3D wizardry, "The Walk" is true big-screen cinema, a chance for moviegoers to viscerally experience the feeling of reaching the clouds.

Others to round out the cast are Mark Camacho as Guy Tozolli, Catherine Lemieux as Texan Tourist Woman, and Larry Day as Texan Tourist Man.

As aforementioned, this was directed by the incomparable Robert Zemeckis ("Used Cars" '80, "Romancing the Stone" '84, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" '88, "Death Becomes Her" '92, "Contact" '97, "What Lies Beneath" 2000, "Beowulf" '07, "A Christmas Carol" '09), plus the aforementioned films. Zemeckis is not afraid of attempting the impossible, which is one thing one must respect. And even though he caters a lot to what is the new technology today to use in his films, he still is able to incorporate that technology and make it fit in the storyline.
It was equally written well by Zemeckis and Christopher Browne based on the book "To Reach the Clouds" by Philippe Petit. Even though this is Browne's first feature film, Zemeckis is a consummate pro at writing screenplays, and this script proves that talent. This story had no problem keeping my attention for its 122 minute running time, which can be tough to provide when a film centers so heavily upon one individual. And what can I say about Joseph Gordon-Leavitt except that this has got to be his best effort in the acting game I've seen him do yet, and he's a talented actor. What impressed me as much as the story and acting was the fact that the World Trade Center was the pivotal set stage for this story, and those towers don't even exist anymore. Not only does that make this poignant, but makes this a logistical marvel. How did those guys do all this and make it seem so much like the film was shot on site?

This film has it all: great directing, writing, acting, visual and photographic effects,  cinematography. But then again, we're talking about Zemeckis. He is one of those filmmakers that one looks for--no matter what the film's about. Because, once you hit the multiplex, you can be rest assured that the film laid in front of you will be entertaining and simply knock your socks off!

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                       Rated: PG                                  122mins.