Watch Your Step! “THE WALK”

October 1, 2015
3 mins read

Release Date: September 30, 2015 in IMAX

Running Time: 2 hours and 3 minutes

Rated PG for thematic elements involving perilous situations, and for

some nudity, language, brief drug references and smoking.

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Grade: B+

Starring:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Philippe Petit

Charlotte LaBon as Annie Allix

James Badge Dale as Jean-Pierre

Ben Schwartz as Albert

Benedict Samuel as Jean-Louis

Steve Valentine as Barry Greenhouse

& Sir Ben Kingsley as Papa Rudy

The_Walk_2Even Impossible Dreams Begin with a Single Step

When Philippe Petit was a young boy in Paris, he fell in love with the circus. He was particularly drawn to high wire walking and street performance. As he grew up, his father was disappointed in Philippe’s career choice, but that did not stop him from following his dream. Philippe’s skills were mainly self-taught with some advice from Papa Rudy who was the patriarch of the high wire walkers from the circus. At the age of 17, Philippe saw an image of the Twin Towers in a magazine while he waited to see a dentist. This sparked his passion for forming what he called ‘le coup’ to walk between the 1,350 foot skyscrapers (expected to be the tallest buildings on earth in 1968). Six years later, Philippe and his collaborators started their spy work and preparations for an August 6, 1974 set up date. Exhausted yet filled with anticipation, Philippe and his crew caught a ride to the 104th floor and began a night of rigging the steel cables and anchoring the cavalletti for the performance of the century!

The_Walk_1Sony Pictures’ drama/biography of Philippe Petit and his famous walks between the Twin Towers is visually appealing and gives the audience a realistic view of life on a high wire. Director Zemeckis brought us a film that included the major points in Petit’s story. He created a couple of characters to make it interesting and left out the practice on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia in 1973, but created a wonderful backstory for Petit’s early days in France. Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only Philippe Petit has ever, or will ever, walk between the Twin Towers, at a height of 1,362 feet above ground.

Gordon-Levitt’s performance at Petit was remarkable. He mastered the accent along with the wire and stunt work. Petit performed for 45 minutes on that wire, going back and forth eight times. He not only walked the wire, he danced on it, laid on it and saluted watchers from a kneeling position. The Walk not only showcased the life of an artist with no fear, it delivers a revered look at the Twin Towers. I could not help but feel something as I watched scene after scene take place at the site of 9/11. Zemeckis literally takes us out on the wire with jarring visuals and a bird’s eye look at the ground.  Moviegoers that have issues with heights or vertigo should know in advance that this film can be dizzying at times, especially in 3D IMAX.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Walk. I found it thrilling and heart pounding and it left me wanting to learn more about the artist Philippe Petit.  ~A.S. MacLeod

My head is full of doubts and when it’s time to step on the wire I don’t know if I will be able to take my first step.

Your heart will tell you what to do.

Robert Zemeckis’ version of the true story is certainly full of heart. Known for films with interesting and strong male leads such as Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and Flight, Zemeckis’ dream of bringing Philippe Petit’s daring dream to life is as gripping as I believe that he intended it to be. Zemeckis is also known for his special effects and his talent is apparent in every scene. Joseph Levitt-Gordon also poured his heart and soul into the film as evidenced by his passion for learning hire wire walking by none other than Philippe Petit, by learning to speak fluent French, and his intense performance. The rest of the cast should also receive mention as their supportive roles led up to the climatic ending which had my heart pounding and my hands sweating. Dare to walk amongst the clouds with this one! ~Movie Buffette

 

 

 

 

Current Issue

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

Alice Cooper at the AMP
The Amp
Collision Homecoming
JWJ Park Events
omaha-steaks-banners

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Previous Story

EVERYTHING ZEN

Next Story

CREATIVE RELEASE

Latest from Feature

RIVERDANCE is 30 years young

Riverdance 30 – The New Generation is not only bringing new choreography to the show, but it is also introducing a new generation of dancers, none of whom were born when Riverdance first took to the stage 30 years ago.  Emissaries for the show, Irish siblings Anna Mai and Fergus

Empty Register: The Band That Spans Across City Lines

Words and Photos by Amiyah Golden  A couple months back, I was enjoying a night that was filled with a variety of tunes under the Riverside Arts Market Bridge. As I watched the next group prepare for their set, the static flow of expectancy was instead disrupted by something

Political Schemes and The TikTok Ban 

Words by Ambar Ramirez In the weeks leading up to the TikTok ban, there were faint glimmers of hope that it might be delayed. But alas, influencers who had risen to fame on the endlessly addictive platform began bidding their followers goodbye; Red Note quickly claimed the top spot

The Ultimate V-Day Day-trip Guide

Words by Carmen Macri Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you see it as a Hallmark invention designed to sell cards and make single people feel worse, or you’re happily coupled up and not as jaded as the rest of us, chances are you’re looking for

Letterboxd Reviews

Words by Waverly Loyd Some things just write themselves. But this got me thinking… everyone has their guilty pleasure movies. Their “hear me out” movies. These are movies that in the cinephile world, you know you would get a 60-second head start after confessing your love for them. Seriously
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Release Date: January 15, 2016 Running Time: 2 hours and