The Walk

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.

Set in 1974 Boston, the film centers on police officer Bill Coughlin, who is tasked to protect a couple of black students as they are bussed into an all-white high school, Coughlin being also under the pressure of a local crime boss. In the same time, Wendy Robbins, a 18-year-old student and her father Lamont, are caught in the middle of some violent protests on the streets, while Kate, Bill's teenage daughter, is faced with her own racist attitude.

The Walk is a 2022 historical drama film based on true events about the 1974 Boston desegregation busing crisis. Directed by Daniel Adams from a script he co-wrote with George Powell, the film stars Justin Chatwin, Terrence Howard, Jeremy Piven, Lovie Simone and Malcolm McDowell.

I wanted there to be more parallels with other divisions in Boston to flesh out the broad truth about divisions among people.

Not a lot.. but a few thoughtful comments and remembrances about events in Northern Ireland and the history with the Brits.

You just have to watch the Godfatherti see the treatment of Italians.

Race is one issue but Irish Catholics were not a welcome group either vs Protestants And Italians were discriminated against too.

By the time of these events both groups became 'American white'.

Do maybe I'm asking too much. Maybe the history of our country needs revisions to include a broader and deeper set of info about how all immigrants were treated here oh and why they left their countries in the first place!

I thought the description sounded interesting and was filled with great cast members but I have to say that as the story unfolded I was stunned at the relevance and effectiveness of the storyline to what is going on in our world today. I lived through this time period and the movie makes you feel like you were actually there and feeling the rawness. It serves as an excellent piece of cinematic work. The even more spectacular part is that I have not heard of the film before today. It really is a such a gem and I think all persons, especially teenagers should watch it to gain such powerful perspective.

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.