Review of A Walk in the Woods (2015) by Patrick L — 29 Feb 2016

"A Walk in the Woods. Really? This movie should've been called "The Brotherhood of the Traveling Grumpy Old Men".

Movie Review: A Walk in the Woods.

Date Viewed: September 5 2015.

Directed By Ken Kwapis (Dunston Checks In,.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, He's Just Not That Into You, License to Wed and Big Miracle).

Screenplay By Rick Kerb and Bill Holderman, Based on the novel by Bill Bryson.

Starring: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Nick Offerman, Emma Thompson, Kristen Schaal and Mary Steenburgen.

Our next movie is a true inspiration, a movie so powerful it will knock your socks off. Academy Award winner Robert Redford and Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte star in "A Walk in the Woods", a road trip comedy about a pair of old travelers who decide to take the 2,000 mile Appalachian Trail. What a waste of two great actors. Originally, talented directors Barry Levinson and Richard Linklater were interested in the project but they dropped out of "A Walk in the Woods" to do better things. Linklater would've made a great movie out of "A Walk in the Woods" but instead we have the guy who did "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants", "He's Just Not That Into You" and "License to Wed".

Redford also wanted his "Butch Cassidy" co-star and friend Paul Newman for the Nick Nolte role but he died before the project was greenlighted. Redford and Nolte are two great acting legends who deserve a better movie than this loaf of bread. A better title for this movie would've been "The Brotherhood of the Traveling Grumpy Old Men".

Based on the true story and memoir by Bill Bryson, "A Walk in the Woods" is about a travel writer who wants to hike the 2,000 mile Appalachian Trail. Bill Bryson (Redford) first has to get a hiking buddy for his trip because his wife, Catherine (Emma Thompson) doesn't want him to go on the Appalachian Trail alone. Bryson searches and calls for one of his friends to hike with him on the trail but everyone of them decline to join him. Bryson's only offer is his former high school buddy, Stephen Katz (Nolte).

Katz used to be a major alcoholic but now he lives a peaceful life in Iowa. Catherine is not happy with Bryson's hiking buddy but he is still sticking with his choice. When Bryson and Katz do start their hike, a lot of experienced hikers completely overtake them. Along the trail, they meet a female hiker who is a complete chatterbox (Kristen Schaal) and a hotel manager (Mary Steenburgen). The two old geezers face off with one another but we all know they're going to be good friends at the end. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a difficult task for these old timers, since Bryson and Katz are in their 70s, they only hiked for (SPOILER ALERT!) one third of the trail. After completing one third of the trail, they decide to call it quits and go back home.

Screenwriters Rick Kerb and Bill Holderman have replaced quality dialogue with weak slapstick and broad gags. Redford and Nolte are way too good for this. "A Walk in the Woods" is a passable diversion for the grandma and grandpa audience but it also serves as a stumble for both Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.