Directed by Michael Jobling and written by Sophie Ellerby, pilgrimage or purgatory? Each Wednesday Amar endures a 24-mile trip on foot to the Job Centre to sign on. Today the walk is particularly gruelling as he grapples with the death of his father, avoiding a phone call he’s too ashamed to face. Starring: Adeel Akhtar and Harpal Hayer.
When you hear the synopsis for The Walk, you probably imagine this short will be a gruelling examination of hardships and emotional turmoil, which it is but not in the way you’re likely expecting. Rather than taking a grounded, harsh, everyday road, Michael Jobling chooses to explore this story with an artistic, metaphorical and almost surreal style. It’s a choice that may divide viewers as the material is more than enough on its own and didn’t really need such a complex interpretation.
That said, it does well to portray the different themes, particular in how the repetition of his weekly trip almost turns into a hellscape, losing grip on reality. It dives into how that struggle plus his avoidance of having to add to it, with the death of his father and facing his family, creates an emotional blackhole, dragging him further into himself. There is a meaningful foundation but at the same time it feels like it’s maybe asking too much of its audience or saying too little.
Given the opportunity to make a statement on these issues, mental health, governmental support or grief, it isn’t hitting those strong notes. The intention is there but with a fairly slow progression and gradual unravelling, it finds itself in a pensive atmosphere rather than enraged or disillusioned.
Although that’s not to say it doesn’t capture an underlying anger, which is brought to life by Adeel Akhtar’s performance. Akhtar is an underappreciated national treasure, the sheer variety he can bring to roles is exceptional, from madcap comedy to a heart wrenching sincerity or brokenness. This portrayal definitely falls toward the latter, it’s layered, compelling and brings the film together.
The Walk has a creative, interpretative style but while it works, it feels like it limited how much the film had to say. Given Adeel Akhtar’stalent, there was a compelling space to really land a harsh, affecting blow with this story but its choice to take a metaphorical approach, is only effective to a certain point. There’s a strong visual and plenty of emotional notes but it feels like it had a bigger potential that it’s missing out on.
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