A Walk in the Woods

Broad Green Pictures | Release Date: September 2, 2015

5.8	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 49 Ratings

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lukechristianscDec 29, 2015

It's not an Oscar winner, the film does what it wants to do entertain the older generation I can appreciate that. Academy Award-winner Robert Redford plays Author Bill Bryson he wants to hike the Appalachian Trail "You are not doing thisIt's not an Oscar winner, the film does what it wants to do entertain the older generation I can appreciate that. Academy Award-winner Robert Redford plays Author Bill Bryson he wants to hike the Appalachian Trail "You are not doing this alone!" Says his wife Katherine (Emma Thompson), so he calls everyone he knows to hike with him and they all say no. He gets the call from his high school friend Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte, it was supposed to be Paul Newman originally but Nolte steals the show) to join him on the 2,200 trail. Along the trail they meet interesting people they meet Mary Ellen (Kristen Shaal) an annoying not very wise we'll put it quite loony, whom Bryson and Katz ditch so they won't have to deal with her for their sake. Bryson meets a beautiful hotel manager played decently by Mary Steenburgen. Katz meets an overweight but beautiful woman (in Katz's mind) at a washing dryer store he tries to have sex with her until her overweight husband in a red pick up truck comes and gets him. Screenwriters Bill Holderman and Rick Kerb don't care about the fans of the source material, they just think we'll love it anyways and we just have to accept the mistakes. First of all, The real Bill Bryson hiked the trail when he was in his 40's. His real wife's name is not Catherine it's Cynthia. Reford is too old (no offense). Despite all of that its a good adaptation. Director Ken Kwapis (He's Just Not That Into You) captures breathetaking scenery. It has the soul of Bryson's memoir, it has the laugh out loud humor and Reford has his charisma and Nolte gives us plenty of laughs playing an old beaten down man. If your a fan of the book like me, you'll enjoy it and have some complaints. It's not for the old generation it tries to have a spot in the Labor Day special and it succeeds. Grade B+… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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RtheomSep 6, 2015

This was a fine movie with a good heart to it. It had some awkward moments, but it had more good than bad. It's a story about two men learning to accept who they are and be happy with the lives they've lived, even if they aren't completelyThis was a fine movie with a good heart to it. It had some awkward moments, but it had more good than bad. It's a story about two men learning to accept who they are and be happy with the lives they've lived, even if they aren't completely ideal or idyllic. It was a very realistic portrayal of life, with simple talk, good people, and moments of peace and reflection.

This movie is definitely more suited to the older generation, and I think it says something that the younger generation finds it so hard to enjoy this movie. Not that things are bad and getting worse, but that we learn to appreciate the simpler, slower things in life as we get older, and that's perfectly fine.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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AcaciaSep 30, 2015

This is what I like to call a quiet movie. Nothing really big happens. It is just about two old friends who haven't spent time together in many years. They just happen to decide to try to walk the Appalachian Trail together for as long asThis is what I like to call a quiet movie. Nothing really big happens. It is just about two old friends who haven't spent time together in many years. They just happen to decide to try to walk the Appalachian Trail together for as long as they can. Apparently, Nick Nolte is getting lots of buzz about his performance as a grizzled ne'er do well who seems to have absolutely nothing in common with Bill Bryson (Robert Redford). They do nave some fun adventures and misadventures and meet some interesting people along the way. We enjoyed it as hikers who have hiked some of the trails the guys covered. My only beef is that I didn't feel it adequately portrayed the extreme difficulties or situations one might encounter trying to do a long term hike on the AT. I am told the book did this in great detail. Anyone who didn't know would think it must be a lark. It even had me daydreaming about getting friends together to do it until my own sense of reality kicked in.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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DJMcCloudSep 30, 2015

Some good laughs. Disappointed that language was rough at times and the sexual content was not necessary.All in all we enjoyed the movie.
Robert Redford never disappoints!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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ThomassSep 5, 2015

This was an outstanding movie for older generation. The theater was packed! The movie was funny and well done. Scenery was beautiful. Characters well done and memorable.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Mag91Sep 4, 2015

This movie is a go too movie both funny and sad Nolte and Redford both played it like they belonged there. Not too funny not to sad just a great movie about Two old men and life!

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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Trev29Jan 24, 2016

A solid movie. It was funny and engaging, while also having just the right amount of quiet moments. It flows with ease. The acting was good and the characters were likable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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LeZeeJan 14, 2016

Rediscovering the old friendship in a long walk.

I am very impressed for the recent films of Robert Redford, but the timing was really bad. His one man show, 'All is Lost' that overlapped with the popular flick 'Life of Pi', and now thisRediscovering the old friendship in a long walk.

I am very impressed for the recent films of Robert Redford, but the timing was really bad. His one man show, 'All is Lost' that overlapped with the popular flick 'Life of Pi', and now this with 'Tracks' and 'Wild'. People tend to choose the big one and forget the small one, or simply point the finger to the other one for having similarity. Anyway, I wanted to see it, and I did that.

Like the Pacific Crest Trail from the movie 'Wild' which's from the western part of the Unites States, this one is from the east called Appalachian Trail and both these are the biographical films. The six month trail to cover approximately 2,000 kilometers. Even learning the odds are not in their favour, the two old men embark their journey with the fixed mind to achieve the goal.

I did not know it was a screen adaptation of the real event. I won't consider it a great movie, not even for the year 2015, but it was fun to watch. A sweet little movie that I expected something, but it delivered another thing, overall it satisfied me. Maybe the reason I'm showing concern for this is it is a comedy, so looked lot like an entertainment product than the inspiring theme. But you can't deny the seriousness apart from those fun bits that it was based on someone's memoir. Especially knowing those two men are in the twilight of their lives, the attempt was admirable.

"No, writers don't retire. We either drink ourselves
to death or blow our brains out."

I always love the children and elder people movies with quality narration. Children's films are fun to watch and elder's teaches us their experiences, sometimes sympathy wins for their struggles. There were a couple big female star characters who are the part of the story, but not in the main narration. This film centres only two characters that wonderfully played by the 80 year-old Robert Redford as a 60 year-old Bill Bryson and the other one was Nick Nolte as Katz who actually stole the show. Yep, I must agree Nick Nolte is the backbone of the movie, otherwise the people would have turned away without showing any interest in this including myself.

This film was not all about the hiking or achieving something out of all the sudden in their old age. It let's us a few glimpses of the beautiful landscapes like those we saw in the 17th, 18th century paintings. Despite it being a comedy, mostly it dealt with the facts. Rediscovering the lost friendship and uncovering the old memories. Like the entire life was brought back for a few minutes in the words for us with their sweet recalls.

It is an R rated flick, because the majority of the jokes were adult's. If you decide to watch it, I suggest to give a try with your best friend, because you both might be seeing the future of yourselves. My finishing statement is, it is definitely not a must see, but it won't disappoint either if you're not anticipating in a large scale adventure, that includes emotions and severeness. If it was from before the 90s, probably considered as a good film, but in this modern CGI world, movies about life and self-discovery is fading away from the young people's mind. All they want is superheroes, loud music, fancy costumes, and of course violence.

7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetNov 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I found this film quite amusing from the start, with Bryson's wife trying to stop her husband from taking on too much. His determination seems quite admirable, although it becomes clear fairly early on that he may have taken on more than he can chew. Some of the situations that he and Stephen find themselves in made me laugh. I think it would be fair to say that there's a definite element of naivety present - a boyhood naivety of sorts, which is obviously ironic given the fact that their not exactly spring chickens.

Still, I couldn't help but admire Bill's determination to forge ahead on the trail. I had a rough idea of what sorts of issues may lie ahead, having recently read a book entitled 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed, which details the authors time on another similar trail, the PCT trail (PCT = Pacific Crest Trail). The comedy is mostly visual, and pretty slapstick in style. Otherwise I'd categorise this as an adventure film - only it isn't really an action film (as there are a lot of combined action and adventure films) due to the slow plot pace. Still, it'd be hard to argue that there's no element of adventure in a film with this storyline. I liked the way Katz' really tried Bill's patience, while he proved quite stubborn and also made some poignant points. I found it somehow reassuring, watching how the two older men adapted to their various precarious situations, of differing types, in their bid to grit their teeth and continue .

There are some impressive camera shots used, giving the viewer a good idea of the sort of panoramic landscapes which can be enjoyed while out on the trail. Themes covered could be said to include self-discovery and belonging.

Cast wise, Robert Redford plays the main character, Bill. Nick Nolte plays Stephen Katz, while Emma Thompson plays Bill's long suffering wife, Catherine, all of which do a good job of portraying them as determined people and good long-term friends. There's a wryness to them - to some of their quick witted remarks and the like.

I felt that, by the end, it had a nicely optimistic tone to it - it could be said to be a little too Hollywood-ised in style perhaps but I felt it was quite re-assuring regardless. I also particularly enjoyed the song that played as the film ended and the credits started to appear. The track is quite 'earthy', a sort of folk song perhaps but there is a definite positive feel to it and I enjoyed that combined with impressive camera shots of landscapes that form part of the Appalachian trail.

Content wise, this film contains some strong language, sex references and a potentially frightening scene involving a bear, although there is no graphic violence. This film carries a 15 rating to reflect the content, although I would have thought that perhaps if a couple of swear words were edited out, it could have had the lower 12 rating applied maybe?. Yes I'd recommend this film, as I felt it was quite amusing, featured some good landscape shots, a good cast and I liked the ending. This is a quite entertaining film - it may be a little slow paced for some and so may not overly suit everyone but I quite enjoyed it regardless.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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