This is no walk in the park. Based on Stephen King’s first novel, written when he was just 19, it is one huge hard watch. This brutal journey is a walk down a 2-lane highway by young men in a dystopian, authoritarian, post war America. One young male chosen by lottery from each of the 50 States is to literally walk till they drop, leaving one single winner. Director Francis Lawrence has plenty of experience with this kind of premise having directed The Hunger Games sequels and working on another to come out next Fall.
The cast is impressive and the performances are passionate. Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza), comes by his talent rightly. He is the son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays Ray Garraty, a young man determined to beat all the other contenders. He wants to win for his late father (Josh Hamilton) and to get the prize of untold wealth and any wish he wants to help support his distraught mother, (Judy Greer.) Early on, he connects with Peter McVries, played by David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus) and they bond as they walk. Peter tells Ray he has nothing to lose.
The rest of the cast include Stubby (Garrett Wareing), Art (Tut Nyuot), always barking, Barkovitch (Charlie Plummer,) smart-ass Hank (Ben Wang), Curly (Roman Griffin Davis-Jojo Rabbit).
The rules of the contest, lasting as many days as it takes to get a single winner, are barked out loud dripping with cruel disdain by The Major (Mark Hamill-The Life of Chuck) from his perch on a tank. He is one nasty march master. With whatever clothes on their back or in a back pack along with some food, snacks, they are to walk at a 3 mile per hour pace. If they stumble or stop for any reason, or talk back, they are slapped with a warning. After 3 warnings, they get shot in the head which are horrifically cruel and bloody. As they walk, onlookers stand emotionless from the side of the road.
The structure of the film is organized by number of miles and days walked and its a high number. Cinematographer Jo Willems and Productions Designer Nicolas LePage had their work cut out for them. Desaturated color is prevalent, until there are cruel, bloody red outcomes for those who don’t make it. Even though it’s expected, it’s hard to take.
Our problem with the enactment is that no one could walk as many miles as these young men did in as many days looking as good as they did, and still be coherent. Hoffman and Jonsson’s acting transcends the incredulity of the roles they play in this impactful film about friendship and cruelty in a world we hope never exists. Stephen King’s mind bending twists in this painfully slow walk, don’t tread lightly.
Lionsgate 1 hour 48 minutes R
