A Walk in the Woods *** (2015, Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal) – Movie Review

Robert Redford stars as celebrated travel writer Bill Bryson, who returns from the UK to America, where he decides to leave his wife (Emma Thompson) for a bit and connect with his homeland by hiking the Appalachian Trail. That’s 2,200 miles of America’s most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia to Maine if he make it that far.

He needs a pal so takes along with him the eccentric Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte), his long-lost, former friend Katz, a down-on-his-luck serial philanderer. He might be one of his oldest friends but he is possibly one of the strangest. In any case he’s the only person willing to join him on the trek.

The big surprise here is how funny Nolte is. He’s just stupendous. Redford plays straight man to Nolte’s comedy act, the Wise to his Morecambe, in a thoroughly engaging and entertaining odd couple double act. Nolte doesn’t look as though he could walk six paces, but here he is puffing up hillsides. Happily, Redford looks as fit as a fiddle.

Two old blokes hiking is a hard sell, but as it’s Redford and Nolte it’s worth checking out. They make something that could be TV movie-style mundane into something delightful. Thompson supports loyally if briefly in a nothing sort of role. Mary Steenburgen is wasted as a kind of love interest along the way for Redford. She plays the sympathetic owner of the motel they stay over at. Nick Offerman twinkles briefly as salesman REI Dave and Kristen Schaal is funny as an annoying woman the star duo can’t shake off on the walk.

It’s not a great movie. It doesn’t really add up to a hill of beans. But it’s quite fun, there are plenty of laughs and a bit of brain food. And there’s old Redford and funny old Nolte, who deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

Ken Kwapis directs conscientiously but rather blandly – he directed He’s Just Not That Into You (2009), License to Wed (2007), and unfortunately The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005).

© Derek Winnert 2015 Movie Review

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