Pulsating run

In 2008 British-American ‘Man On Wire’ by James Marsh won the Academy Award for the Best Documentary Feature which dealt with Philippe Petit’s stupendous feat of walking on the wire between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. Now Hollywood, courtesy Robert Zemeckis covers the real-life event after taking some liberties in ‘The Walk’.

But in all fairness it must be said ‘The Walk’ sticks to the core and gets to the root of Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), living in Paris and performing on the road balancing acts when the cops are not around. In Paris, they say, anything unusual gathers audiences.

It’s here he meets fellow artiste (also an artiste) Annie (Charlotte Le Bon) whom he shares his dream of walking between the Twin Towers (this was in 1973 before they were demolished in the 2001 9/11 incident) and she is game. He then meets a photographer Albert (James Badge Dale) and as though collecting a group, enlists three others.

Still in Paris they take the help of Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), a circus expert, who helps them plan the operation. The original wire walker Petit was called in to train the lead actor. Soon it’s Hello New York, another city of infinite possibilities.

The establishing shots are good and by now director Zemeckis has his viewer in his grip. The group then ropes in insurance agent Barry Greenhouse (Steve Valentine) who works on the 82nd floor for inside information. The group gathers the equipment, loads of it, and gets into Twin Towers.

Here Zemeckis even gets Bergmanesque with the appearance of “the mysterious visitor.” Philippe also plays the Greek Chorus, standing atop another skyscraper, and commenting on the goings-on. Its 120-odd minutes of rapt attention and the New York crowd scenes are graphically recaptured.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a good job with the right change of moods and Charlotte De Bon provides apt support with her expressions speaking louder than words. She also gives the story its final twist. Ben Kingsley is superb in an unusual role. ‘The Walk’ must be undertaken. Sorry, seen.

Movie Name : The Walk 3D

Cast : Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale & Ben Schwartz

Direction : Robert Zemeckis

Genre : Drama

Likes : Screenplay and Charlotte De Bon

Dislikes : Hardly anything

Rating : 31/2

By Ervell E Menezes