A feature film about French high-wire artist Philippe Petit is about to hit cinemas, and anyone who watched Man on Wire, the Oscar-winning documentary about him, will be curious to see if the new film measures up.
The Walk is shot in 3D, and directed by Forrest Gump filmmaker Robert Zemekis.
With Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the lead role, this is the true and exhilarating story of Petit and his daring mission to walk a tightrope strung between the two towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City. And let's face it, it is a story begging to be told in 3D.
Petit hatches his plan from Paris, talking first his girlfriend, Annie, into supporting him, then a motley crew of similarly minded artistic anarchists into supporting him.
But when push comes to shove, comes to walk, the only thing supporting Petit is the high wire – a very, very, very high wire.
The visual impact of this film is quite spectacular, especially when they eventually get to the business end of this very true and very tall tale.
It's just a bit of shame. The same can't be said for the storytelling, which binds it together.
Constant interruptions to camera from Gordon-Levitt astride a CGI Statue of Liberty intrude irritatingly on the unfolding narrative and drag any real drama away from the screen.
That said, the finale is gripping. How could it not be? Simply as a love letter to those two magnificent towers this film warrants the ticket price.
Three stars.
The Walk:: Director: Robert Zemeckis:: Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz, Steve Valentine:: Rating: PG - coarse language:: Running Time: 123 mins:: Release Date: October 22, 2015
