A Walk in the Woods

source: A Walk in the Woods

OK, Walk In The Woods is far from being Bryson's best book but never in the history of film making could so many people spend so much time and money to come up with such a flat uninspiring movie. In the film, Bryson describes a book as "Television for the intelligent". Here, substitute "television" for "this film". Just look at the credits - a vast number of people seem to have been needed to create all sorts of trickery - but this wasn't Life Of Pi - it should have been a nicely filmed simple low to medium budget film that capitalised on Bryson's wit, yet that was all lost to make it easy for some sections of society to understand it. It cheapens Bryson and I really wonder why he got involved at all - surely he doesn't need the money that badly. Redford never looks comfortable in his role and Nolte has an easy job playing an old soak - hardly an Oscar performance from either. Redford - surely you didn't need the money that much either? Cinematography was vanilla at very best, missing the beauty of the area entirely. Or, did I miss the point - was it meant to be funny rather than witty? It was neither folks. I'm sad for everyone associated with it. Don't buy the CD, buy the book - it is 100 times better - Bill deserves more than this.

Over the Labor Day weekend, 2015, I saw A Walk in the Woods in Santa Fe, NM. I love Bill Bryson's book and I loved this movie. I have hiked the Appalachian Trail in 6 of the 13 states. Since I may never return to the East Coast, I am thrilled to have gone on this inviting, cinematic journey. Casting was spot on and the ageless, incomparable Robert Redford personified Bill Bryson, in my humble opinion. Emma Thompson shines as his devoted wife. Though the hilarious Nick Nolte provided many well deserved laughs, I was genuinely touched by the friendship between Redford and Nolte's characters .The soundtrack was wonderful, never interfering with the dialogue. From what I could tell in the movie theater, the rest of the audience shared my enthusiasm. In a time of endless futuristic, apocalyptic movies, this one is a real breath of fresh air.

A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson, is one of my favorite books. I eagerly went to see the movie, the amazing cast being an extra attraction. Sadly, I wasted my money. Don't bother. My favorite line in the book comes when Bryson and Katz are trying to hitch a ride to town for supplies. Katz sniffs his armpit and says "no one is going to pick us up - I smell like Jeffrey Dahmer's refrigerator." Nick Nolte's line is, wait for it, "we smell really bad." That sums it up. Everything funny was reduced to unsalted mush. As for the hiking; it was painful to watch Nick Nolte clinging to the side of a hill on a six foot wide path, to watch them stumble into a creek that a child could have run over and the scene where Bryson is outside a motel room with a bathrobe on? Who the hell goes on a cross country hike and carries a bathrobe in their pack? Sadly, the movie is so very bad that it might put people off from reading the book. That would be a shame.

I just walked out of "A Walk In the Woods", and didn't look back. Bryson's book is among my most favorite reads, and is so worthwhile, but the film is awful. All of the things that I love about the book, Bryson's humor, his incredibly dense style of wordsmithing, and his hugely informative side bars, must have ended up on the cutting room floor. The actors, had zero chemistry, and were twice as old as Bryson, and Katz were, when they attempted the trail, and a lot of the attempts at humor would have made much more sense with younger actors. The story line was jumbled compared to the book, and made hardly any sense.

The book _A Walk in the Woods_ is a literate contemplation of some of life's big questions, spurred by a hike along the Appalachian Trail. It contains plenty of Bill Bryson's trademark wry humor. The movie _A Walk in the Woods_ is entirely different. It throws lots of exaggerated slapstick scenes at the viewer, trying for cheap laughs rather than anything deeper and richer. I found Nick Nolte's character overdramatic and consistently annoying. Meanwhile, Robert Redford portrayed Bill Bryson as a taciturn parody of the actual person; we've seen this sort of world-weary loner performance from him more than enough in other films. And, as others have pointed out, Bryson was in his mid 40s when he attempted to hike the Trail; Redford is nearly 80. This gives the story a very different flavor. Minor characters were used to add sparks, but they generally made goofy impressions before disappearing. Mary Steenburgen (a favorite actor of mine) depicted a motelkeeper who appeared oddly smitten with the much older Redford. (There was a theme here; Redford's wife was played - over-emotionally and under-sensibly - by Emma Thompson, who is vastly younger than him.) I kept expecting other characters to reappear, but almost none of them did; the movie is so short that I wonder if some reappearances were filmed but edited out. This film was obviously not meant to be an accurate translation of the book. But I liked reading it a lot better than I liked watching it.

Although the characters portrayed are probably older than me, I could relate to aspects of combining nature, friendship, and fresh air that goes along with hiking anywhere. I am an outdoors-man and I knew I would like this movie like I did, simply because of the hiking, camping, and philosophical air. Of course, the actors made the movie even more enjoyable for me as I thought about past entertainments from this crown and began to remember how they made me laugh in the past and take life in strides and enjoy. I recommend watching this movie simply to inspire people to step out of their normal routines once in while, get a level set, and remember to enjoy life versus stress over it all of the time.

Based on the 1998 book/memoir of the same name by Bill Bryson, 'A Walk in the Woods' is a sweet, simple & uncomplicated film, that turns out to be nice fun. Its also supremely well-acted, although that barely comes as a surprise, since the performers on-screen are legends. 'A Walk in the Woods' Synopsis: After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the U.S., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends. 'A Walk in the Woods' is sweet look at age, adventure & friendship. Watching the senior protagonists go on a trip in the wilderness, offers moments of warmth & subtle humour. However, the film plays it safe at all times & hence it turns out be a good watch, but nothing memorable. Its harmless, but never remarkable. Bill Holderman & Michael Arndt's Screenplay is nicely done. although its too simple in totality. Ken Kwapis's Direction is passable. Cinematography captures the wilderness well. Editing is sharp. Nathan Larson's Score is super. Performance-Wise: Robert Redford & Nick Nolte are delightful. They create a fabulous on-screen camaraderie & carry the film on their ever-reliable shoulders. Emma Thompson shines in a brief role. Mary Steenburgen, however, is tiresomely typecast. On the whole, 'A Walk in the Woods' is worth a watch.

It's hard to imagine a more flaccid attempt at a road movie than this. Dialogue performed with a stiffness that should have been reserved for their knees, barely a decent shot, no attempt at capturing any sense of light, which should have been fairly simple considering the locations, and with any pointed comments about modern America present in the book swiftly removed in favour of trite Hallmark sentiment. Redford was so poor, it really was like watching one's granddad in his doddering twilight years at some points, so different from the assured performance in All Is Lost last year. He looked embarrassed. And I've always struggled with Nolte but in this he really ups his game as it was hard not to tear my eyes and ears away whenever he was on screen. I desperately wanted to leave but felt it would be rude on the many grey pounders who were in the cinema – one small section apparently enjoying jokes and situations that were aged in 1954 and were signposted roughly that far in advance in this script. One redeeming feature: I think I know what it is to be old and frail now, as this film made me feel that way it was so lacking in spirit and verve.

I have NOT read the book, but I understand the author was 30 years younger that Redford when he walked the Appalachian Trail. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but believing an 80 year old is walking the trail is absurd! Nick Nolte was also way past his prime for age for the co-lead in the movie, although he did have some funny story lines. Casting was just a task that wasn't effective, especially, since Redford was executive producer, a better lead couldn't be considered or Redford's money would have walked. Again casting really came up short. Considering Redford's age, to cast Emmma Thompson as his wife, given a 23 year age gap, with children and grandchildren no less a product of the marriage is a bit much to swallow! Later on Mary Steenburgen is cast a a potential flirtation is as equally ridiculous. I so wanted to like this movie, but the ONLY redeeming portrayal by any actor in the movie was from Kristen Schaal a VERY ANNOYING hiker they met on the trail, she was a breath of fresh air. And CRIMINAL is the only way I can describe the cinematography for the film give the vast beautiful vistas that should have been available on the Appalachian Trail, the scenery should have starred. Additionally, the scene where they fell over the small ledge was so HORRIBLY done on a studio set, the set director should have been shot. All in all, one of the most disappointing movies I have seen in a long time!