A Walk in the Woods

Dir: Ken Kwapis

2015

**

Based on the 1998 novel by Bill Bryson, Ken Kwapis' adaptation is a slow and unenthusiastic venture that is far from what made the source material so popular. Bryson and friend Stephen Katz attempted to hike the Appalachian Trail in the late 90s. They were both in their early to mid-forties, both had clear reasons for wanting to take on the challenge and Bryson's knowledge of both the trail and the history of the environment made for fascinating reading. In the film, the two men are in their late seventies (Bryson was sixty-three upon release of the film), have no clear reason to take on the challenge and do very little hiking - indeed, very little of the trail is shown on film. The vast majority of the film is set either having lunch in a diner or when the friends stop for the night in various motels. The few times we see them walk they are either just leaving camp or just stopping to set up one. I counted two great views in the whole film. There is little chemistry between the two men and even less between Bryson and his Wife (played by Emma Thompson) with nothing special happening as far as dialogue goes. What is a fascinating account of two old friends getting back to their roots on somewhat of a journey of self-discovery turns into a sad little farce of two old guys punching above their weight. I think it was supposed to be a comedy, needless to say, I didn't find it particularly funny. Robert Redford first announced his involvement in the film back in 2005. Back then, it was meant to star him and Paul Newman in what would have been their third collaboration (following Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting). It would have been quite the audience pull to have the two actors back on screen together and no offense to the great Nick Nolte but it would have been great if it had happened. Sadly Newman grew ill, retired and died in 2008. I think it would have been best if the film had died with him. I like Robert Redford and I like Nick Nolte but this film is far from what I expect from either. It's actually rather embarrassing. I'd love to know how Bryson feels about the way he was portrayed. I just don't know who the film is aimed at. It insults the people who would be interested in taking the trail, it can only disappoint fans of the book and I'm not sure what there is of any substance for everyone else? The script is poor, the story is boring and the direction is stale. Kwapis hasn't been great since Follow That Bird.