3.5 stars (out of 5)
Bill Bryson’s 1998 travel book A Walk In The Woods chronicled his attempt to, after living in England for two decades, reconnect with his US homeland by walking the formidable Appalachian trail, which can take experienced hikers going on six months (!!!) to properly complete. And while this long-in-development comedic/dramatic charmer as directed by Ken Kwapis (best-known for young ‘un pics like Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants and He’s Just Not That Into You) has a few tricky issues in the altered and updated details, there’s also no doubt that it’s most enjoyable, and definitely more fun than a dose of poison ivy.
Bryson is here played by Robert Redford, who doesn’t look at all like the author (which makes the real Bill laugh heartily) and recently turned 79 while the actual BB was in his mid-40s when he hit the Trail, which should puzzle some viewers – but it doesn’t really matter as, you know, this is a movie. Bill is looking for something to occupy his time after a recent book’s publication and to shake off a feeling of fatalism after a friend’s death, and when he hits upon the notion of walking the Trail, the idea appalls his wife Catherine (Emma Thompson, whose age here might also be a problem, perhaps, on several levels – but hey, it’s Emma Thompson!).
Long unable to find a friend to accompany him on the walk, Bill eventually discovers that Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) is willing to come along, despite the promised hazardous slog and the fact that the two haven’t seen each other in decades. And so it begins, with running gags immediately and pleasingly kicking in about the pair’s age, Bill’s commitment to experiencing the Trail properly contrasted against Stephen’s commitment to cut corners and chase chubby ladies, marauding bears, often odd supporting characters and the difficulties involved in bathroom activities while in the great outdoors.
Blessed by Bryson himself (who’s turned down more than a few attempts to previously film his books), this is a slightly rambling and episodic Road-Movie-of-sorts in which the underplaying Redford (very fine, of course) and the naturally broader Nolte (who sounds like he’s been gargling razor blades again) are just about the whole show. And yes, Redford doesn’t look like Bryson, but that’s okay, and he’s certainly a better choice than, say, Robert Pattinson. Or Zac Efron. Or Ashton Kutcher. Or… stop!!! Stop!!!
I Wake Up Screening 