The Walk

Busing was a major issue in the late '60s and early '70s, seen as a way to end school segregation. Not surprisingly, large numbers of white people resisted it. "The Walk" looks at the resistance to busing in 1970s Boston, focusing on a cop who has to help ferry Black children to a predominantly White school while also dealing with local gangsters and even his daughter's racist views. Basically, the movie makes everyone in the city - regardless of skin color - look like an unpleasant person.

I guess that the point is that racism runs deep in this country, even among the younger generations. One of the characters even notes that liberal Massachusetts doesn't seem much different from confederate Alabama. Can our society ever overcome this scourge?

Not a masterpiece, but passable. The cast includes Justin Chatwin, Terrence Howard, Jeremy Piven, Katie Douglas and Malcolm McDowell.

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.

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'm Irish so, forgive my lack of knowledge of American Social History.

I was, and am, very well aware of Rosa Parks however, I never knew there was massive school segregation in the north most part of America. I always assumed that, because the northern states of America being more liberal, and most definitely pro abolitionist; whilst not all being well in the neighbourhood, assumed that life was more normal. This movie showed different.

It was a shocking eye opener to people like me, who know a lot yet, also know so little. I thought that the problem originally was with choice, not being allowed to go to the school of one's choice. Upon viewing, it appears it was the forcing of students to attend colleges, they did not want to attend....

All I can say is this. The culmination of cast, crew, writers, directors, etc., none of whom I know by the way (except for Malcom McDowell); put together a package that is not easily forgotten. He actually brought a smile to my face. An Englishman, speaking with a broad Boston Irish accent, and speaking Irish, brought a little light relief, to a serious story.

Well done everyone, for bringing this piece of history to light, I could relate. It's the first movie to watch at my age (64) that relates to my life.

In 1974, I was 16. I was doing my secondary school exams in June, after 3 years of education. I passed the exams with flying colours and applied for a job in the Irish Air Corps (RAF, USAF). By September I had no word, I was back in school studying higher maths with no books because, I didn't know if I'd needed them.

Eventually a letter was sent to the Irish Government to find out if I had a job or not. I did, I joined, did 32 years, and retired as an Air Crash Investigator. Ironically, all this transpired during massive problems in Ireland, mostly in the North. The storylines are different yet, not so different. Fear and hatred, on either side o the Athaltic, induced by history; which can be overcome, by courage and strength of character, and people.

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.