Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) is an accomplished travel writer. He’s brought a number of worldwide destinations home to the masses through his writing. Although the exotic locales have long been his subjects, he desires to set out on an American journey like no other. He wants to hike the Appalachian Trail: not to write a book about it, but simply to accomplish it. In the new movie A Walk in the Woods, based on the book of the same name authored by the reallife Bill Bryson, that’s exactly what he is going to attempt to do.
Bill’s loving wife Catherine (Emma Thompson) has stood by him for years, but won’t let him even attempt this 2,180-mile journey without some company. It seems none of Bryson’s friends want to take on this crazy feat with him, until he gets a call from Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte). Although Stephen and Bill are not on the best of terms and haven’t spoken in years, they set out on a hiking adventure of a lifetime at their advanced age.
Together they will laugh and enjoy the different individuals they have become over the years. Bill is accomplished and as distant as he can be from their shared Iowa roots. He has come a long way and seems to want little to do with his Midwestern upbringing. The journey for him is about selfdiscovery.
Stephen still calls Iowa home, and is a simpler man who doesn’t look for much on this journey, except to stay out of jail.
Along the way they meet some of the interesting personalities that occupy the Trail and the small towns it passes through. They find themselves laughing and enjoying moments along the way, despite their very different exteriors. Together they will find out so much more than they ever imagined.
Enjoying this movie was easy. Director Ken Kwapis gives us a picturesque setting to look at along the trail through cinematographer John Bailey’s eyes. There are moments of pure, breathtaking joy as the two journey through the beauty that lies within America.
The visuals are just the beginning as the lead actors are perfect. Redford’s performance is reminiscent of all the great roles he has played through the years. He floats through the film with ease and reinforces how good he is at his craft. Redford is able to play the straight man to Nolte’s scallywag, and Nolte feels at home being the down-to-earth and “real” guy in the film. He knows how to get raw when he needs to, and has the perfect mannerisms to portray Stephen’s seeming lack of a filter.
It was awesome to see substantive roles for both Redford and Nolte as they carry this enjoyable film.
Couple two great lead performances, especially when they have the most screen time, with a beautifully shot film and you have a winner. I could use my own Appalachian Trail, as I think we all could. The Trail is that place allowing us to look back, but only briefly, because wonder and amazement is out there in front of us.
A Walk in the Woods
Rated: R
Stars: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson
Director: Ken Kwapis
Grade: B