A Walk In The Woods is the type of film that is not going to be for everyone, but that someone would also have to be a cynical, depressing, soulless person to entirely hate. It's a lovely little comedy-drama with two major and legendary Hollywood talents. There is nothing great about it but it made me smile from start to finish, as it will do with many people and sometimes, that's all a film needs to do to earn my recommendation. In these dog days of the end of summer, I tend to be come much less demanding and this is exactly the kind of comfortable. enjoyable film I love to see get released amongst all the garbage. This is the kind of film that won't do too well in ticket sales but will kill on cable. Come a few months from now, a lot of people will see this is playing on TBS or FX and see that it stars Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. This will prompt them to turn it on and realize what a lovely film they're watching.
The film stars Redford as Bill Bryson (who is a real person who wrote the book this film is based on,) a travel writer in his 70's who realizes his life has lost any spontaneity. He has an extremely caring and dedicated wife (Emma Thompson,) great grandkids and a comfortable existence. However, he has also become to accustomed to his daily life and has even been reduced to being interviewed by amateur anchormen about why he seems to have no intention to write anything new.
One day, after the funeral of a friend, he decides that he will walk the Appalachian Trail, an over 2000 mile walk that even people half his age surrender to. Bill's wife insists he bring a friend along and he reluctantly has Stephen Katz (Nolte,) the only person willing to touch this expedition with a ten foot pole, join him.
What this film does really well is that it shows two people, played by two great actors, just being lovely. These feel like the kind of people that anyone would pass on the street and they are both sweet, caring people. Sure--they have flaws and aren't always the ideal person to have by your side on a long hike but they are dedicated to the journey and enjoy one another's company, even in the most obnoxious of times. Namely, an overly abrasive and obnoxious hiker (Kristen Schaal, whose schtick I'll give about a month before everyone becomes as unbelievably sick of it as I am.) Fortunately, her character leaves about four minutes after being introduced, right as I was about to walk out of the theater because of her.
Redford and Nolte have never shared screen time together but as with a lot of veteran actors first acting together (John Lithgow and Alfred Molina in Love Is Strange is another example that jumps right to mind,) they are dynamite together and have unbelievably magnetic chemistry. I instantly believed these were pals who lost contact and were excited to see each other again. They are completely believable as two people who find one another yet again at the perfect time.
Both Redford and Nolte get a lot of funny moments as well. The film is incredibly touching but it also has more to offer than just gags about how these two are such old farts. They are not only funny in their own rights but they are extremely funny together. Their banter makes for some extremely amusing moments. There are some things that feel shoved into the film, however. Specifically, Mary Steenburgen shows up as a hotel manager who seems to have the hots for Bill. However, seeing as Bill is married and faithful to his wife, this plot point goes absolutely nowhere. This plot point is mostly forgiven, though, because Steenburgen proves herself a good counterpoint to Redford's half-ready to give up old man.
While the comedy mostly works, the better moments are the ones that try (and completely succeed) to be touching. One moment where Stephen confronts Bill about his alcoholism is particularly great and admittedly brought a few tears to my eyes. These moments give the film the weight that make it as simultaneously enjoyable and deep as it is.
Like I said, this film will not be for everyone. If you're already rolling your eyes at the idea of Nolte and Redford as two old men who have witty banter in the woods, this film will have you running for the exits. However, A Walk In The Woods is a lovely (I know I've used that word a lot in this review but there's no word to better describe it), very well done comedy-drama that will prove to be an extremely fun time for anyone who just wants to see two legendary actors be great together for the first time.
(4 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language and some sexual references)
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