Review of A Walk in the Woods (2015) by Jeff B — 14 Sep 2015

Boasting a marquee team-up with an entertainment value that proves more sorrier than starrier for filmgoers, A Walk in the Woods offers a near bust of a buddy comedy and little else. Despite the and snarky but spot-on travel observations offered up by Bryson in his books, the first of his tomes adapted to the big screen pitifully equals something along the lines of Grumpy Old Men Go Camping. The pitiful misadventures presented here spotlight pratfalls more than biting wit, which is a dodgy endeavor considering that the median age of the double bill is 77. That this bill consists of H'Wood legends Robert Redford (The Sting, Out of Africa) and Nick Nolte (North Dallas Forty, 48 Hours) only raises the level of disappointment. Audiences are right to expect much more by way of this comedy just based on their involvement.

In this R-rated comedy, based on the popular book by Bill Bryson, a travel writer (Redford) returns to the U.S. after two decades in England and decides that the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends (Nolte).

Even when Redford delivers one of Bryson's bon mots, it comes out so polished and practiced that it fails to register as a punchline. In fact, the award-winning actor is so studied after 60 years in the film biz that it sounds like he's reading an audio book-not exchanging dialogue. Director Ken Kwapis (Dunston Checks In, NBC's The Office) simply plays everything too broadly. Rather than an ace adaptation, the end result of all involved resembles Kook's Tour, a shameful outing by the remaining Three Stooges toward the end of their lives wherein their waning health sadly provided the hi-jinks.

Bottom line: A Walk to Forget.