A Walk in the Woods

Rating: 4/5

Being from the East Coast, I was quite excited to watch a movie about a trail that I have heard people discuss many times and have even hiked part of, myself. A Walk in the Woods is an amusing and unique type of buddy film that I quite enjoyed.

Travel author Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) is feeling his age creeping up on him and decides that he needs one more adventure in his life. While on a walk, he makes the decision that he is going to attempt to do the Appalachian Trail. Under the orders of his wife Catherine (Emma Thompson), he must find someone to do the trail with and connects with his old and out of shape friend, Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte). Inexperienced and unprepared, the two set out on the trail.

Part of what makes A Walk in the Woods enjoyable, is the straightforward plot-line and characters. The movie doesn't try to be more than it is; a true story of two men over 60 attempting the Appalachian Trail. Though both men are vastly different from one another, it is their contrast of character that makes for a humorous and entertaining movie.

The oddball people that Bill and Stephen meet scattered about the trail add an element of eccentricity to the film. It pushes the movie forward, adding a feeling of anticipation to it, making the viewer wonder who they will meet on the next leg of their journey.

When looking at other reviews for A Walk in the Woods, I couldn't quite understand why it was looked upon so poorly. It isn't an extraordinarily great movie, but there's nothing innately wrong with it. The acting is good, and the scenery beautiful. Clearly this film is more appealing to those with an interest in hiking, but even if you aren't, it is still a fun movie nonetheless.