Plot
In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.
Release Year: 2015
Rating: 8.7/10 (301 voted)
Critic's Score: /100
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte Le Bon, Ben Kingsley
Storyline
Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man - Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) - has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, 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 uses 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. The film, a PG-rated, all-audience entertainment for moviegoers 8 to 80, unlike anything audiences have seen before, is a love letter to Paris and New York City in the 1970s, ...
Writers: Robert Zemeckis, Christopher Browne
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt -
Philippe Petit
Ben Kingsley -
Papa Rudy
Charlotte Le Bon -
Annie Allix
James Badge Dale -
Jean-Pierre
Ben Schwartz -
Albert
Steve Valentine -
Barry Greenhouse
Sergio Di Zio -
Officer Genco
Nathaly Thibault -
Secretary
Melantha Blackthorne -
Parisian Flower Child
Benedict Samuel -
Jean-Louis
Mark Camacho -
Guy Tozolli
Christina Kelly -
Parisian Lady Bicycling
César Domboy -
Jean-François
Clément Sibony -
Kwasi Songui -
Man with Plaid Sports Coat
Trivia:
Ben Kingsley and James Badge Dale starred together in Iron Man 3 (2013) See more »
Quotes:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 5/10
Read more @ The Awards Circuit (http://www.awardscircuit.com)
Robert Zemeckis has created some of the best films of the last 30
years. "Forrest Gump" is one of cinema's finest masterpieces, "Back to
the Future" revolutionized the time travel genre, and "Who Framed Roger
Rabbit?" is a beautiful merge of animation and the real world. With his
newest effort "The Walk," Zemeckis creates an apparent respect and
adoration of New York City and the twin towers that haven't really been
seen in film post-9/11 however, his narrative tones and setup are both
uninspired and dull, all leading up to a grand finale that makes the
film simply watchable. Helmed by a very determined Joseph
Gordon-Levitt, the visual spectacle creates a real sense of height and
wonder, portraying breathtaking effects. Though its only half passable,
the film feels like an appropriate and perfect opener for the New York
Film Festival.
"The Walk" tells the story of high-wire artist Philippe Petit, who in
1974, recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk
the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.
Written by Christopher Browne and Robert Zemeckis, "The Walk" is
narrated by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, on top of the torch of the Statue of
Liberty, with the World Trade Center towers in the background. He
addresses the audience with every thought, which is heavily relied upon
from the film's writing team. From the opening of Levitt's monologue,
the entire set up looks like the beginning of a "Saturday Night Live"
episode where Levitt himself, was hosting. Giggles were sprinkled among
the audience as the first minutes passed but eventually Gordon- Levitt
settles into his role. His accent was impressive, speaking fluent
French, and to the untrained ear, he nails his lines. From an emotional
perspective, Levitt leaves much to be desired. In his defense, the
script does him no favors. Browne and Zemeckis inflects a wit and charm
into Philippe that can come off annoying and unlikable.
Co-star Charlotte Le Bon, who plays Annie, Philippe's girlfriend, is a
sensitive addition, trying her very best to elevate the one-
dimensional character that she's given. James Badge Dale is best-
in-show, giving personality and spunk to a vastly underwritten role.
Ben Kingsley is added as veteran acting wallpaper, just to show
experience and dignity in a role that can be done in his sleep.
IMAX 3D is put to fantastic use. The final hour is a sequence that
stands as one of the year's best. To watch Petit set up for the
death-defying stunt was totally engaging, and seeing him take his first
steps on the wire was a fantastic spectacle. The natural thoughts go to
the Oscar-winning "Man on Wire," but what Zemeckis focuses on is his
time on the wire, walking back and forth, making daring moves, and
utilizing 3D imagery to inflict real fear and anxiety into the
audience. From a directorial standpoint, Zemeckis attempts to make his
"Hugo," using 3D as something to progress and tell the story
impeccably, placing the audience right there on the wire.
"The Walk" is an ambitious and respectable misstep. The Visual Effects
are well worth the price of a ticket in an IMAX theater, and with the
final sequence as long as it is, you should definitely seek it out.
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