Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Walk
2015
***½
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale, Clément Sibony, César Domboy, Ben Schwartz, Benedict Samuel, Steve Valentine

In 1973, a French street artist named Philippe Petit becomes determined to walk a tightrope between the newly-built Twin Towers in New York City. James Marsh's 2008 documentary Man on Wire was based on Petit's book to Reach the Clouds. Robert Zemeckis and his co-writer Christopher Browne have adapted the same book, taken some poetic license, and created an entertaining live action feature film. Having seen the documentary, the story is familiar and its dramatic twists have very little impact. However, Zemeckis turns the events into a fully enjoyable cinematic experience. The setting, planning, preparation, and execution are wonderfully staged with the help of special effects. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a delightfully kinetic performance in the lead. The decision to have the international cast speak (mostly) English with a French accent is questionable, though.