Every movie offers the opportunity to take a viewer away to another time and place. If a film is well made, it can be a visceral experience that puts the audience directly into the shoes of the protagonist. That is exactly what director Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Flight) accomplishes in his latest film, The Walk.

The Walk recounts the true life story of street performer and high-wire artist, Philippe Petit. Petit made a name for himself by illegally conducting his high-wire act in several well-known landmarks around the world in the 1970’s. However, his greatest achievement was when he, along with a group of accomplices, rigged a high-wire between the the two towers of the World Trade Center. He then went on to perform his act over 100 stories in the air, in front of a stunned New York City crowd who feared the worst. 

Zemeckis is able to pull you into Petit’s off-center, yet optimistic view of life immediately. Petit is played with a charismatic joy by Joseph Gordon Levitt (Looper). While he may not have the best French accent, he’s able to bring you into his bizarre world almost from the first frame, where Petit breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the audience. The tone of the movie is quickly established, however it’s hard to predict where this true adventure will lead. 

The scope of the movie is surprising and extends way beyond the wire that connected the World Trade Center. We begin the story with Petit’s origin in France. The movie starts as almost a throwback to an earlier era of filmmaking, that at some points actually has the pacing and beats of a foreign film. However, once Petit finds his mission in life, the film continues to narrow its focus until he is literally standing on a half-inch wire a hundred stories in the air. The planning and execution of the “coup” is focused on for about two acts of the film. Zemeckis shows the level of planning and espionage that was needed to pull off one of the greatest stunts in human history. Fans of films such as Oceans 11, will be pleased with the sub-plot which finds the crew dressing up like reporters, architects, and employees, in order to execute the heist. 

The movie is populated with strong supporting performances. Sir Ben Kingsley makes an impression playing Petit’s mentor and advisor in a humorous, yet memorable role. As the film progresses Petit assembles a team of accomplices, however the focus and star of the show is clearly Gordon-Levitt who brings a lovable charm, to someone that is questionably insane. His performance is almost as memorable as the high-wire act itself.

It’s hard to reflect on the movie without mentioning Zemeckis’ meditation on the World Trade Center. The story takes place before the opening of the architectural miracle and while it’s visually impressive to the people of the 70’s, they are all naive to what the buildings will one day represent. The movie never brings up the fate of the monument, but it is impossible to not think of the structure’s fate, particularly when in contrast with Petit’s love and fascination with the architectural marvel. 

When this movie is at its best, its exploring the power of the human mind. It doesn’t take long to understand what separates Petit from others, it’s his unshakable belief in himself. Zemeckis finds creative ways to visually show Petit’s powers of optimism, as well as how negativity and doubt can creep into his and anyone’s minds. While it’s a small part of the subtext, it is revisited numerous times throughout the film’s running time. Petit’s heist has already been chronicled in the Academy Award winning documentary, Man on Wire, however that focused primarily on the caper. Seeing the complete story and understanding the inner motivations of Petit will give viewers who are familiar with the story a brand new perspective.

Every year there are movies that slip through the cracks…this is one of them. The Walk is an uplifting, yet beguilingly powerful examination of the human spirit and the potential of the mind. There is an extreme fascination with superheroes at the movies nowadays, it’s extremely rewarding to watch a story so fantastical, that it almost seems like it came from the pages of a comic. Whether you are familiar with the story or not, The Walk is an entertaining and moving film about the untapped potential of ourselves and our innate ability to achieve the impossible. Go ahead, take a step on the tightrope…you will not be let down.