A Walk In The Woods * * *

This is the fourth “walkie” film I have seen this year: First, Wild, then Six Ways to Santiago, then Far From Men and now A Walk in the Woods.  I have to wonder is this a new genre that we will see more of. Road movies have been around for years, but naturally they  feature some form of transport - not so with a walking film.

Ah well, at least they can save a lot of money by having the cast walk.

Robert Redford seems happy to ignore his advancing years and content to keep working. A good thing too.  Redford is a fine actor and it’s a pleasure to see him in this delightful film. Likewise his walking partner Nick Nolte who plays a wonderfull burn out who you can’t help but like.  

A Walk in the Woods is a true story written by Bill Bryson in the mid 90’s, and tells of his urge to walk the Appalachian Trail: a long and testing hiking trail in the Eastern States of America.  Like most people they don’t make it from one end to the other but they have a fair crack at it and have enough adventures and experiences to satisfy most folk, including meeting Mary Ellen who is a  “know all” nightmare of a person in the book and is played hysterically by Kristen Schaal in this film.

A Walk in the Woods is as disposable as a pair of old walking boots, but it's an easy and fun film of a couple of old timers taking on a physical challenge beyond their capabilities but learning much along the way