A Walk in the Woods

Every now and again Hollywood coughs up a movie where a bunch of old guys set out to have a good time and prove they’ve still “got it”. Considering prime examples of this genre are films like Wild Hogs and Last Vegas, it’s hardly surprising it doesn’t get a whole lot of respect.
A Walk in the Woods has one big advantage over those other films: it’s based on a book by noted travel writer Bill Bryson. Unfortunately, that advantage is largely squandered in a film that’s mostly content to have its leads wander around enjoying each other’s company and occasionally info-dumping a lecture about the death of the American Chestnut Tree.
Feeling disconnected from and disheartened by America upon his return after two decades living in the UK, Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) decides to walk the Appalachian Trail to rekindle his love of travel and nature. He asks pretty much everyone he knows to join him; they all refuse. Someone he didn’t ask is his old buddy turned unsettling nutter Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte), but when Katz finds out he says he’d be happy to come along.
Now the two out-of-shape and ill-prepared hikers are hitting the trail, and the trail is ready to hit back. There are plenty of mildly funny moments here, and both Redford and Nolte give likeable performances – Nolte, having more to work with as a shambling but optimistic wreck, makes more of an impression than the constantly befuddled Redford. But there’s no urgency or drive here, let alone the kind of big laughs that would make it work as a comedy, and as a character piece it lacks all but the barest insight. It’s just two guys wandering around: you can see that pretty much anywhere you care to look.
Reviewed by Anthony Morris