The Walk is a Hollywood - movie
directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte Le Bon, Ben Kinsley, James Badge Dale, Clement Sibony and Cesar Domboy.
'The
Walk' - gripping with electrifying performances
IANS
Rating: ****
Spellbound!
That's what you are after watching the climax of "The Walk", a
biographical drama of Frenchman Philippe Petit. The film is about his
"surprise, illegal, high-wire walk", between the twin towers of the
World Trade Center in August 1974.
Captured in Eastman colour tones, the film begins on a fantasy note - light and
frivolous - till reality dawns, where the insanity of the artist, his art and
the risk merge together, leaving you mesmerised and awestruck. And with the 3D
effect, the film has its moments of cinematic joy.
Written by Robert Zemeckis and Christopher Browne, based on Philippe Petit's
book, "To Reach the Clouds", the film is narrated in a non-linear
manner which reveals Petit's ambition and finer nuances of his character,
effortlessly.
It begins with Phillipe, a wire-walker, magician, unicyclist and street
performer, speaking to the audience from atop the Statue of Liberty with the
iconic buildings as its backdrop.
He throws at you the same questions, you are certain to ask him at the end of
the film. Questions like, "Why do you tempt fate? Why would you risk your
life?"
Packed with lessons of fulfilling his dreams and ambition, he tells us how his
fascination for walking the wire began; his baby-steps in wire walking, his
inciting moment at the dentist's clinic when he saw the picture of the proposed
towers that attracted him like a magnet.
He also speaks about his inspiration and accomplices; his mentor Papa Rudy (Ben
Kingsley), his girl-friend Annie Allix (Charlotte Le Bon) and his unlikely cadre
of helpers who aided him to carry out the coup.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with his slightly impish and arrogant demeanour, is a
perfect fit for Zemecki's vision of Philippe. His blatant, "It's
impossible, but I'll do it" reeks of an impulsive platitude and dubious
ambition which makes his act gripping and performance appealing.
This is evident especially when he moves back and forth between the towers,
pausing to sit, look down and taunt the police officers who have gathered on
either roof of the towers.
Charlotte Le Bon as the street singer Annie is more humane and realistic. It is
her encouraging words, "If you dream it, you should do it" is what
propels Philippe to take the plunge. And your heart bleeds for her, when she
decides to return to Paris from New York.
Ben Kingley as his mentor Papa Rudy, with a tough exterior and a soft heart, is
stereotypical. And the rest of the motley group with limited screen time are
reduced to hammy side-kicks.
With excellent production values, director Zemeckis along with cinematographer
Dariusz Wolski's camera-work has managed to; replicate the era, blend his
characters and the computer-generated images in such a way that breath taking
visuals spring naturally from the material itself.
What elevates the viewing experience is Alan Silvestri's music, Randy Thom's
sound designs and Jeremiah O'Driscoll's fine edits.
Finer details of Philippe's journey especially his trials and tribulations are
lost in the 124-minute runtime, making it seem like a piece of fiction.
Nevertheless, "The Walk" keeps you on the edge during its
show-stopping sequence, which is worth a watch.