The Walk
By Jeffrey M. Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Terrific, heart-pounding, gravity-defying true story.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Walk
Community Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Great movie - inspiring story of following one's passion
The rebel wire-walking artist is worth watching
What's the Story?
In the early 1970s, Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a street performer in Paris, juggling things while balancing on tightropes. While at the dentist, he reads a magazine that shows the construction of the World Trade Center in New York City, and he suddenly envisions walking a tightrope between the twin towers, about 1350 feet above the ground. He trains with the master, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), and enlists the help of musician Annie (Charlotte Le Bon) and other friends. Spending many months planning and preparing, the crew runs into dozens of setbacks that threaten to derail the entire walk, but Philippe is determined to see his dream realized, at nearly any cost.
Is It Any Good?
Director Robert Zemeckis' movie is relatively simple but wonderfully exhilarating; it has the power to make your palms sweat and catch your heart in your throat. (Don't try this at home!) Zemeckis is a whiz at technologically advanced movies that tell ever-so-slightly dark stories, but with a bright style and a warm heart. In re-creating this astounding feat of tightrope walking, his camera follows effortlessly, giving us a smooth, 360-degree view of the abyss around Petit's wire. We are with him on every step of his journey.
Some have complained that the 123-minute movie is a slow starter, but Levitt's feverish, dedicated performance energizes the first half. He narrates from the dizzying top of the Statue of Liberty, showing off a convincing French accent (and snippets of actual French), as well as his own freshly learned tightrope-walking and juggling skills. For those who can appreciate anticipation as well as a payoff, THE WALK is totally satisfying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Philippe Petit is a role model. He learned his craft and pursued his dream, although it was highly dangerous and illegal. Should people aspire to copy him? What can we learn from his stunt? Does his passion translate into other art forms or disciplines?
Is The Walk scary? If not, how would you describe the feelings you had while watching Philippe perform his stunt? If you already knew how it would turn out, did that impact your experience, or was it still tense to watch?
How do you think the filmmakers made it feel like everything was taking place way up high?
The movie shows some drug use, drinking, and smoking. Are these things glamorized? How do they relate to the time period the story takes place in?
How would you describe Philippe's relationship with his teacher, Papa Rudy? Have you ever had a similar relationship with any of your teachers?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 30, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: January 5, 2016
- Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Ben Kingsley , Charlotte Le Bon
- Director: Robert Zemeckis
- Inclusion Information: Indian/South Asian actors
- Studio: Columbia Tristar
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: History
- Run time: 123 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: thematic elements involving perilous situations, and for some nudity, language, brief drug references and smoking
- Last updated: August 19, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Biopic Movies
Drama Movies That Tug at the Heartstrings
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate