WALKING TALL
US, 2004, 86 minutes, Colour.
The Rock, Johnny Knoxville, Neal Mc Donough, Ashley Scott, Michael Bowen, John Beasley.
Directed by Kevin Bray.
Walking Tall was a popular film of the 1970s, the story of the tough sheriff, Buford Pusser, who was not afraid to throw his (considerable) weight around, getting a block of wood, and imposing law and order.
This film, almost 30 years later, is based on the original screenplay though updated. It is a star vehicle for popular wrestler, The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, who had appeared in films like The Scorpion King but was about to launch himself as a movie star, appearing in tough films but also moving into family-oriented films and showing a flair for comedy.
The film is brief, shows its hero returning from military service, finding that his town is run down, the mill is closed, the local casino is where the money is made. It is run by his school friend played by Neal Mc Donough who has chosen the dark side and exploits the people, gambling, drink, women, drugs, controlling the town. Johnny Knoxville, at the time of the beginning of the Jackass film and television series, is the close friend. Ashley Scott is a stripper at the casino, fallen on hard times, but falling for the hero.
After exposing dealers in the casino as cheats, he fights, causes a lot of destruction, the owner trying to cajole him, offering him a part of the profits, but finally brutalising him – with the result that the hero picks up a beam, wreaks justice with the beam, goes to court but is found not guilty and then volunteers to be sheriff and clean up the town.
1. The remake of the film from the 1970s? Updating? Changes of names? But the dedication of the film and acknowledgement of the original Buford Pusser?
2. The locations, the town, the mill, run down, the casino, the police? Musical score?
3. Chris, the screen presence of Dwayne Johnson, big and imposing? His past story, from the town, his relationship with his parents, sister, nephew? His friendship with Ray? At school with Jay? His return, eight years in the service, hoping to continue, discovering the changes in the town? Reunited with his parents, family, friends? Discovering the young people and their drug-taking, the effect on his nephew?
4. The friends, gathering for the ball game? The invitation to the casino? Jay and his welcoming them? The lavish casino, the source of business in the town? The gambling, the women, the money? The drugs?
5. Chris, discovering the dealer was cheating, loaded dice, starting the fight, the huge fight and everybody involved? Jay, watching, his security men?
6. The role of the Sheriff, the initial welcoming of Chris, the arrest? The consequences?
7. The encounter with Deni, memories, her personality, as a stripper, making ends meet, the relationship with Chris, support, danger?
8. The confrontation with Jay, his threats, his power? His range of thugs? The old mill and the drugs?
9. The violence towards Chris, in the old Mill, the place where they played in the past? Chris, the reaction, getting the beam of wood, the casino, the smashing?
10. The risk to the family, the reaction of his father and mother, support?
11. Going to trial, Chris and his defence, his exposure of the corruption, Jay in court?
12. The verdict of not guilty, Chris and his offering to be the sheriff, the confrontation with the past sheriff, the guns and violence, deaths?
13. The buildup to the final cleanup, the casino, Jay, defeat, the restoration of law and order?
14. The increasing violence, American style, as the film went on, and the touch of the vigilante justice – in the form of the sheriff?
