Walking a Tightrope (1991): cast, story & where to watch
1991 · Film · ★ 4.6
Released in 1991, Walking a Tightrope is a drama and romance film directed by Nikos Papatakis, running about 120 minutes.
What it’s about. Marcel Spadice is a famous writer with a criminal background and a penchant for handsome men. From time to time, he induces an attractive female admirer to arrange for him to be introduced to nice, talented young men who happen to be sufficiently handsome to interest him. At other times, the endless effort to woo these men (who are most often heterosexual) grows wearying, and he goes to the train station to pick up soldiers looking for some easy money and a night's lodging. In this film, the writer has grown enamored with a young circus laborer who wants to move up in the world, literally, by becoming a tightrope walker. Marcel cadges an introduction, and for a time sponsors the young man's training. However, when the boy suffers an accident which renders him unfit for his chosen vocation, Marcel loses interest in him and takes up with another young man.
Who’s in it. Walking a Tightrope stars Michel Piccoli as Marcel Spadice, Lilah Dadi as Franz-Ali Aoussine, Polly Walker as Hélène Lagache and Doris Kunstmann as Christa Aoussine, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.6/10, Walking a Tightrope has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Walking a Tightrope page.
If you liked it. Fans of Walking a Tightrope tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Walking a Tightrope (1991)?
- In US, Walking a Tightrope is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Walking a Tightrope worth watching?
- Walking a Tightrope holds an audience score of 4.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Walking a Tightrope?
- Walking a Tightrope stars Michel Piccoli, Lilah Dadi, Polly Walker, Doris Kunstmann and Patrick Mille.
- When was Walking a Tightrope released?
- Walking a Tightrope was released in 1991, with a runtime of about 120 minutes.