Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
“The Long Walk” tells a deeply disturbing story about a country that has lost its way. We see a dystopian United States under authoritarian rule, where most of the population is poverty stricken. A contest is hosted each year by the military, where fifty young men are selected from each state to compete in The Long Walk. The government believes it will produce a higher work output, hoping the economy will return to its glory days. The contestants are tasked with walking nonstop at 3 MPH to win a large sum of money and one single wish. Contestants who fail to continue speed or fall out of the walk will be terminated on site. These boys must outlast each other while looking to the left and right of one another, realizing each person is equally human. Walk or die, the choice is theirs.
Positives:
If audiences need a comparison for “The Long Walk”, I would say it’s a thoughtful, adult version of “The Hunger Games”. Director Francis Lawrence (who helmed that franchise), returns here to tell a similar story. The film is presented as a grim, harrowing collapse of the United States government, where cruel leadership has taken away the ability to live freely and openly. Lawrence wastes no time getting the story started, where Ray Garraty (our lead) parts ways with his mother to try and win the money for his family. He quickly meets other young men from different backgrounds, fostering relationships with most of them. The story has excellent pacing, especially for a film that is entirely composed of young men walking and conversing. Each conversation brings us closer to these characters, feeling the humanity in each of them as they continue on this journey. We also feel a deep sense of sadness the longer the walk goes on. As each character is shot for failing to maintain speed, no death is easier to stomach. As the characters thin out towards the end of the story, we are treated to some deeply personal monologues and stories that each share with the rest of the group. It makes the story all the more heartbreaking knowing all but one will not be going home to their families. This is a case of a harrowing, depressing story told in the most poignant way possible.
Such a film requires committed performances from its young cast. Luckily, these actors are up for the challenge. Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson lead the charge, portraying a wonderful friendship between Ray Garraty and Peter McVries. Hoffman proves he is cut from the same cloth as his late father (Philip Seymour Hoffman), conveying the rage and frustration Ray feels towards the government. He is a kind soul who has been radicalized through the system that oppressed him. Jonsson is also impressive, being an uplifting voice in the midst of harrowing violence and turmoil. His sense of optimism and humanity radiates throughout the story, having an impact on the other characters. One of my favorite lines in the film is when Peter describes how he wishes the walk could have two winners to encourage brotherhood and comradery, lessening the suffering along the journey for future contestants. The rest of the supporting cast does a nice job as well, each bringing a unique personality to the journey. The film’s themes are highlighted throughout the performances as well. The idea of fighting for change in a never ending cycle of torment is central to the story. But also cautioning authoritarianism and trust in big government is key to the brutality of the contest. The story is rich in its thematic analysis and heartbreaking in its execution.
Negatives:
“The Long Walk” had all the ingredients to be a cautionary masterpiece. But a few missteps along the way are too important to ignore. The film doesn’t explore this dystopian world very much. We don’t understand why the United States has fallen into such a horrible place nor do we get much of an explanation to how this new world operates. We get small pieces of exposition through the characters as the story goes on but nothing deep enough to truly grasp the state of the world. The themes and story would have resonated more if we had a clearer understanding of this authoritarian regime. I also didn’t resonate with the explanation of Ray’s involvement in the walk. Ray is motivated through the death of his father, but his father’s poor judgement is hard to overlook. No parent in their right mind would leave his family just to inspire them to rebel, especially without any means to survive. He would do it where his family’s safety is the top priority, not leave them in the place he did. I’m not sure if that was screenwriter JT Mollner’s choice or author Stephen King’s. Either way, it was a weak character decision. Since the film is entirely composed of walking, the characters bob up and down as the camera frame remains still. This creates a sense of dizziness for the viewer as they watch these young men walk for nearly an hour and fifty minutes. If Lawrence was able to stabilize the camera frame better this would be more pleasant for the viewer.
Conclusion:
Francis Lawrence brings the same intensity to “The Long Walk” as he did to “The Hunger Games” films. The story is emotional, intense, and heartbreaking. Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson bring their A-game, creating a wonderful friendship between Ray and Peter. The rich thematic analysis brings a cautionary tale to the viewer, which resonates even further in a time where people are deeply divided. The story has a few shortcomings in its exposition about the state of the world. The way Ray’s father plays into the story is also a weak piece of his motivation to enter the race. But this is a journey worth taking if viewers can handle the bleak material.