The Walk Movie Review

Story: The Walk derives direct inspiration from the daring high wire walk that Frenchman Philippe Petit successfully undertook from one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to the other, on August 7, 1974.

Review: There are plenty of reasons as to why you could watch this film. For one, the climax of the movie - the high wire act itself that is a culmination of all the meticulous planning that preceded it - is worth the ticket price alone. You will find yourself gripping the armrests, anxiously hoping that Philippe Petit's (Gordon-Levitt) act doesn't end up in tragedy. And on the other hand, the film might prove to be a little nerve-wracking if vertigo means more to you than an Alfred Hitchcock movie name!



To Zemeckis' credit, he never does telegraph an obvious outcome. Therefore, if you've never heard about the real Petit's risk-laden act of derring-do, you might find yourself wondering about might really happen, until the very end. Levitt's prep for this role has been painstakingly prepared. Not only did he learn to speak French like a provincial, but he also learned how to walk the rope like a pro.

It's interesting how Levitt's character actually absorbs the architectural characteristics of the towers themselves. He takes into consideration the wind speed, the subtle diurnal and nocturnal sway of the tall buildings (incidentally, commonplace in any high-rise building) and therefore, how taut the steel cable and its fastenings need to be. He virtually incorporates the buildings into his training and respects the massive structures, much as a climber would respect say, a formidable mountain. During some of the more gripping and suspenseful sequences, Alan Silvestri's music provides the necessary sonic atmosphere.

Petit refuses a safety harness for the feat, much to the concern of his doting guitar-playing, cute-as-a-button girlfriend (Le Bon) and the shock of his mentor and trainer, Papa Rudy (Kingsley). While Petit's journey from novice to expert is breezed through, the final 40 minutes of the film, really suits the 3D treatment, makes it all worthwhile. Delightfully quaint and definitely entertaining.