The Walk

source: The Walk

This film is certainly one that could be used in the school classroom. A period film with excellent acting with sets demonstrating skilled production, the narrative paces itself well with actors who hold immersive and demanding roles. Great film and I really do thank all involved in it's production.

Greetings again from the darkness. This "inspired by true events" film opens with a history lesson: In 1954, in the landmark Brown v Board of Education case, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. This was followed in 1965 with SCOTUS ruling there should be no more delays in desegregation, and another ruling by the high court in 1971 stating that busing students was appropriate in facilitating desegregation. But it took the NAACP bringing suit against Boston Public Schools before a specific court ruling in 1973 forced the city to comply by the following year. The film from writer-director Daniel Adams (THE LIGHTKEEPERS, 2009) and co-writer George Powell picks up in 1974. Justin Chatwin ("Shameless") stars as Boston Police Officer Bill Coughlin, a born and raised "Southie", whose daughter Katie (Katie Douglas) is finishing up one school year and looking forward to her upcoming senior year of high school. Her world is rocked when her best friend receives a letter stating that she has been reassigned to another school as part of the desegregation. Reacting as a teenager would, Katie claims it's all unfair and she should get a normal senior year without having to share her school with black students. What we soon learn is that those black students feel the same way. Wendy Robbins (an excellent Lovie Simone) lives with her EMT dad (Terrence Howard), and her faith and courage and maturity aren't quite enough to overcome the emotions, but she's strong enough to follow in the steps of MLK rather than the Black Panthers. We see that neither side wanted it handled this way. "Why do they hate us?" It's the question asked a couple of times, and goes to the heart of the cultural and racial divide in Boston at the time. Officer Coughlin is at the center of much of what happens. He's struggling with the bubbling emotions in his city, his concern for his daughter, his reassignment to protect the black kids getting bused to south Boston, and facing threats from Johnny Bunkley (Jeremy Piven), a local thug recently released from prison. Bunkley is protected by McLaughlin, the neighborhood power broker played by Malcolm McDowell. On top of all that, Coughlin considers himself fair, but wonders if he's a racist ... and wonders how exactly to define the word (a dilemma that still exists 50 years later). The film does capture what a tumultuous time it was to be a parent, a kid, or a cop. Everyone was uneasy and looking for someone to blame and a way to maintain the status quo. Many characters are involved here, but most of the focus is on Coughlin and Katie. His challenges stem from work, home, and the neighborhood, while hers are that of a teenager feeling wronged and smothered. Some of the sub-plots work, while others are misfires. It's vital to keep in mind that the story is set in 1974 ... the first year of busing for desegregation in Boston public schools. As powerful as the issues covered are, the film likely would have benefited from better casting, and a simplified and focused script. Mr. Piven is a fine actor, but miscast here as a street thug. Mr. Chatwin lacks the physical presence of a cop who commands respect, though his sensitive nature is a plus given his inner turmoil. Malcolm McDowell is always a treat to watch, but casting a Brit as a native Southie only exacerbated the inconsistencies many had with the accent. The film is one to watch for the history lesson, though not so much for cinematic expertise. Opens on June 10, 2022.

I really enjoyed this movie. Being mixed with black and Mexican I can never be able to imagine what minorities had to endure during those times. It was an emotional movie. The acting was great and it had me very grateful for being able to watch it. The end did leave me with a cliffhanger.

"I deal with racist people all the time". That stinks. Can't we all just get along? Anyway 2022's The Walk has a title that doesn't clearly define what it's about. I do know that it's one of those "don't forget where you came from" Boston movies. No judgement here. I just think I've seen too many of them over the past twenty years. "Walk" also has some Bostonian accents, one beatdown clip, and mentions the term "Southie" a lot. Paging Sean Maguire, Sean Maguire. So yeah, The Walk is a film of many tones. It's all over the place. Talks about race, daughter protection, mob ties, and cop talk. It all feels like a TV miniseries wrapped up in 105 minutes. The screenplay is recycled, the interconnecting stories wander. You get an elongated version of Crash but it takes place on the other side of the country. Did I mention Terrence Howard is involved? Mid-2000s films aside, did I like The Walk as a talky flick that was filmed entirely in New Orleans (masquerading as Beantown)? Somewhat. There were actually some scenes that left me with a lump in my throat. And did I gravitate towards "Walk" as a pic with wishy-washy characters who cater to the crux of altered stating? Not entirely. "Walk" suffers from being too effete. You don't ultimately know where everyone's head is at. Distributed by Vertical Entertainment and edited with unvaried continuity by Justin Williams (he's been around the block for the past ten years), The Walk meanders for a good hour and a half until things come to a head. It's a film about ethnic group relations circa 1974 in Boston, Mass. The actors involved (Malcolm McDowell, Jeremy Piven, Justin Chatwin) aren't bad but their personas feel dated in a vehicle that despite good intentions, is indeed dated (I'm not referring to "Walk's" "Me' Decade" setting). "Walk about".

The film takes place in the historical background of the integration of South Boston schools and Roxbury. They are rival schools who hate each other. The film centers on the lives of a few individuals involved, mostly Bill Coughlin (Justin Chatwin), a cop. He is assigned to escort the children from Roxbury into his white neighborhood of South Boston. He is seen as a traitor to his neighborhood for a number of reasons and faces many threats. The drama was good. The accents at times left something to be desired as actors would have an accent and then forget to use it. South Boston turns out to be its own worse enemy with a gut punch ending that leaves you wanting a part 2. Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

I think this movie was about average, despite good actors and production. For me, too much talking and unnecessary scenes made for a less interesting story... and some of the Chicago accents were annoyingly overexaggerated. I'm not sure why it had to be a period piece either (early 70s I guess), but the main theme seemed to be "How bigotry was even worse back then" which, while sometimes it serves the story or is a necessary part of it, isn't enough of story in itself to be interesting. There are thousands of them already. It may evoke viewers' emotions but it's as cheap as a girl in a horror movie looking for her dog alone in the woods at night. Yawn. Full disclosure: I didn't finish this one.

Trailer—The Walk

source: The Walk

"I deal with racist people all the time". That stinks. Can't we all just get along? Anyway 2022's The Walk has a title that doesn't clearly define what it's about. I do know that it's one of those "don't forget where you came from" Boston movies. No judgement here. I just think I've seen too many of them over the past twenty years. "Walk" also has some Bostonian accents, one beatdown clip, and mentions the term "Southie" a lot. Paging Sean Maguire, Sean Maguire. So yeah, The Walk is a film of many tones. It's all over the place. Talks about race, daughter protection, mob ties, and cop talk. It all feels like a TV miniseries wrapped up in 105 minutes. The screenplay is recycled, the interconnecting stories wander. You get an elongated version of Crash but it takes place on the other side of the country. Did I mention Terrence Howard is involved? Mid-2000s films aside, did I like The Walk as a talky flick that was filmed entirely in New Orleans (masquerading as Beantown)? Somewhat. There were actually some scenes that left me with a lump in my throat. And did I gravitate towards "Walk" as a pic with wishy-washy characters who cater to the crux of altered stating? Not entirely. "Walk" suffers from being too effete. You don't ultimately know where everyone's head is at. Distributed by Vertical Entertainment and edited with unvaried continuity by Justin Williams (he's been around the block for the past ten years), The Walk meanders for a good hour and a half until things come to a head. It's a film about ethnic group relations circa 1974 in Boston, Mass. The actors involved (Malcolm McDowell, Jeremy Piven, Justin Chatwin) aren't bad but their personas feel dated in a vehicle that despite good intentions, is indeed dated (I'm not referring to "Walk's" "Me' Decade" setting). "Walk about".