Review: A Walk in the Woods

Nolte and Redford. It doesn't have quite the same kick as Newman and Redford, does it? A Walk in the Woods, an adaptation of Bill Bryson's travel memoir, was originally conceived by Redford as a project for himself and his Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid co-star and longtime buddy, and Paul Newman's ghost certainly haunts the film. It is regrettable that the two never had an opportunity for a third pairing, but Newman's absence and the thought of what might have been adds a layer of poignancy to this tale of growing old, reconnection, and the lure of one last adventure.

The opening moments find Redford as Bryson trapped in a gloriously awkward interview on a morning chat show. Later, Bryson and his wife Catherine (Emma Thompson) attend a friend's funeral and the famed writer once again clumsily paints himself into a corner. Still, the funeral does set off an impulsive desire to hike the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. Everyone views this as a bad idea, especially his wife who fears for his health and safety. He hasn't hiked for 30 years, Catherine points out, people far younger than him have been injured or died attempting that hike, there are bears and other dangerous animals out there! Yet she knows that he won't relent and so she insists he at least not go at it alone.

Enter Stephen Katz (Nolte), who calls from out of the blue and invites himself along. Catherine is skeptical - wasn't Katz the irresponsible alcoholic friend who was with him on a European trip all those years ago? And didn't they get on each other's nerves? "We started out on each other's nerves," Bryson clarifies. "We ended up despising each other." For a time, it seems that history may be repeating itself. To say Katz is not in the best condition is an understatement. He can barely get off the plane much less make it through the first quarter mile of the trail. His interest and temperament hardly match Bryson's - Katz would rather chase ladies of a certain weight than hike or dawdle in the details of rock and formation types.

And so the men make their way along the trail reminiscing, passive-aggressively criticising one another, encountering a variety of characters (including Kristen Schaal as an obnoxious backpacker and Mary Steenburgen as a local innkeeper with whom Bryson shares a mild flirtation), and involving themselves in escapades both major and minor. There is not much more to A Walk in the Woods than that. It is a threadbare reverie that relies on the personas of its stars and some beautiful vistas to power it along.

Nolte shambles along, his voice a phlegmy rasp, his beard scruffy, his hair beyond unkempt; this big, wheezing bear of a man still entertains and wrings many laughs from Katz's naughty nature. There are chuckles to be had as Katz and Bryson mourn their younger years when they had the energy to engage in spontaneous acts of daring. Looking on from the back seat as a young woman goes down on her boyfriend as he's driving, Katz remarks, "I wish I was still 20." Bryson counters, "I wish I was still 50."

It seems odd to note that Redford surprises, considering the longevity of his career, but surprise the Sundance Kid does. The actor hasn't allowed himself to be so lighthearted, at ease and sardonic in quite a long time. Much of the delight during the film's first half hour derives from his flashes of humour and amused expressions. His golden visage may be more engraved with time, but the boyish charm, sharp wit, and native intelligence are still very much intact.

A Walk in the Woods

Directed by: Ken Kwapis

Written by: Michael Arndt, Bill Holderman; based on the book by Bill Bryson

Starring: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Kristen Schaal, Nick Offerman