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‘The Walk’ – gripping with electrifying performances
Film: “The Walk”; Language: English; Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte Le Bon, Ben Kinsley, James Badge Dale, Clement Sibony and Cesar Domboy; Director: Robert Zemeckis; (IANS Rating: ****)
Spellbound!
That’s what you are after watching the climax of “The Walk”, a biographical drama of Frenchman Philippe Petit. The film is about his “surprise, illegal, high-wire walk”, between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in August 1974.
Captured in Eastman colour tones, the film begins on a fantasy note – light and frivolous – till reality dawns, where the insanity of the artist, his art and the risk merge together, leaving you mesmerised and awestruck. And with the 3D effect, the film has its moments of cinematic joy.
Written by Robert Zemeckis and Christopher Browne, based on Philippe Petit’s book, “To Reach the Clouds”, the film is narrated in a non-linear manner which reveals Petit’s ambition and finer nuances of his character, effortlessly.
It begins with Phillipe, a wire-walker, magician, unicyclist and street performer, speaking to the audience from atop the Statue of Liberty with the iconic buildings as its backdrop.
He throws at you the same questions, you are certain to ask him at the end of the film. Questions like, “Why do you tempt fate? Why would you risk your life?”
Packed with lessons of fulfilling his dreams and ambition, he tells us how his fascination for walking the wire began; his baby-steps in wire walking, his inciting moment at the dentist’s clinic when he saw the picture of the proposed towers that attracted him like a magnet.
He also speaks about his inspiration and accomplices; his mentor Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), his girl-friend Annie Allix (Charlotte Le Bon) and his unlikely cadre of helpers who aided him to carry out the coup.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with his slightly impish and arrogant demeanour, is a perfect fit for Zemecki’s vision of Philippe. His blatant, “It’s impossible, but I’ll do it” reeks of an impulsive platitude and dubious ambition which makes his act gripping and performance appealing.
This is evident especially when he moves back and forth between the towers, pausing to sit, look down and taunt the police officers who have gathered on either roof of the towers.
Charlotte Le Bon as the street singer Annie is more humane and realistic. It is her encouraging words, “If you dream it, you should do it” is what propels Philippe to take the plunge. And your heart bleeds for her, when she decides to return to Paris from New York.
Ben Kingley as his mentor Papa Rudy, with a tough exterior and a soft heart, is stereotypical. And the rest of the motley group with limited screen time are reduced to hammy side-kicks.
With excellent production values, director Zemeckis along with cinematographer Dariusz Wolski’s camera-work has managed to; replicate the era, blend his characters and the computer-generated images in such a way that breath taking visuals spring naturally from the material itself.
What elevates the viewing experience is Alan Silvestri’s music, Randy Thom’s sound designs and Jeremiah O’Driscoll’s fine edits.
Finer details of Philippe’s journey especially his trials and tribulations are lost in the 124-minute runtime, making it seem like a piece of fiction.
Nevertheless, “The Walk” keeps you on the edge during its show-stopping sequence, which is worth a watch.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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