The Walk: A Thrilling True Story of High-Wire Artistry
The Walk is a captivating film that recounts the audacious true story of Philippe Petit, a French high-wire artist who secretly walked a tightrope between the roofs of the World Trade Center towers, defying both gravity and the law.
Synopsis
Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a young and charismatic street performer in Paris, dreams of achieving the impossible. When he stumbles upon an article about the construction of the World Trade Center towers in New York City, he becomes obsessed with the idea of stringing a wire between them and walking across it, a staggering 110 stories above the ground.
As the skyscrapers rise, Philippe hones his skills, seeks guidance from experienced wire walker Rudy Omanowsky (Ben Kingsley), and assembles a team of accomplices to help him execute his daring and illegal stunt. Aware that he will be arrested the moment he steps off the wire, Philippe focuses on the challenge of secretly getting the wire onto the towers and securing it without alerting security or the police.
Fun Fact: Jade Kindar-Martin, a wire walker and student of Rudy Omanowsky’s son, served as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s primary stunt double. To ensure the audience believed it was Gordon-Levitt on the wire, visual effects artists replaced the stunt double’s face with the actor’s.
A Risky Omission?
Initially, “The Walk” was not included in a list of highly anticipated October premieres, despite being directed by Robert Zemeckis of “Back to the Future” fame and starring the talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film seemed unremarkable for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the plot appeared too specific – a fact-based story about a spectacular stunt from 40 years ago (Petit’s walk took place on August 7, 1974). While this narrative holds significance for Americans, evoking nostalgia for the destroyed Twin Towers and celebrating stories of success, its appeal to a broader audience seemed limited.
Interesting Detail: Although the characters are French, they primarily speak English in the film. This wasn’t to avoid subtitles but because Petit insisted everyone speak English to him, as he aspired to be a true American in his youth.
Secondly, a critically acclaimed documentary, “Man on Wire” by James Marsh, already covered Petit’s story in 2008. It featured interviews with the “crime of the century” participants and documentary reconstructions. It was hard to imagine that Zemeckis could add anything meaningful to the story.
A Pleasant Surprise
Fortunately, those initial reservations were not entirely accurate. The first two-thirds of “The Walk” closely resemble Marsh’s account of Petit’s journey to his triumph. While the film features actors portraying real people and employs visual tricks to depict Petit’s training, friendships, and preparations, it largely mirrors “Man on Wire.” Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Rudy Omanowsky adds depth, but the film essentially retreads familiar ground.
The Walk Itself
However, the moment Philippe steps onto the wire, “The Walk” justifies its existence. While Marsh’s documentary relied on photographs, Zemeckis uses stunning special effects to recreate Petit’s every step. The camera soars onto the wire, gazes into the abyss, and captures the daring stunts from every conceivable angle.
“The Walk” is one of those rare films that benefits from the 3D experience, as a flat image cannot convey the sensation of looking down from 110 stories. The camera not only looks down but also swoops to the base of the towers, where Petit’s friends and onlookers marvel at his feat. The computer-generated imagery is so realistic that it’s hard to believe much of what we see is not real.
Not For Everyone
“The Walk” may not be for everyone. Those with a fear of heights may find the climax unsettling, while fans of complex plots may find the film too straightforward. However, for those who appreciate stories of charismatic and driven individuals achieving the impossible, “The Walk” is a must-see.
Ultimately, “The Walk” is a captivating film that celebrates the audacity of a man who dared to dream big and achieve the impossible.