The Walk (5 Stars)

Dancer's Top Films #79

It's difficult to find words to describe this film. It's the true story about a breath-taking feat, a tightrope walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. If I try to explain the film to someone who's never seen it, it must sound boring. What makes it entertaining is the outstanding performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Philippe Petit. He's cheeky and amusing, even though he's a man with an iron will to carry out his dream.

There's a team gathered around Philippe: his girlfriend Annie, his photographer and best friend Jean-Louis, the schoolteacher Jeff, the electronics salesman JP, plus a few other minor characters. We learn very little about any of them. The spotlight is always on Philippe. Normally I like all the major characters to be well developed, but in this film it doesn't matter.

Philippe Petit appeared to the world as a Messiah on the morning of 7th August 1974. Jesus could only walk on water, but Philippe walked 400 meters above the ground, so high that he could barely be seen. All we have to remember his accomplishment are the photos taken by Jean-Louis.

I shouldn't just concentrate on the true events. The film itself is a masterpiece. We feel like we're up on top of the World Trade Center with Philippe, or we feel like we're on the Statue of Liberty, which he uses as a platform for his narration. This is a film that should definitely be much higher in my list, but the carrots are cooked.

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