Most of us harbor some kind of wish or desire for that one great adventure in life. Mine was to drive to Alaska, and on June 13, 2002, I climbed into my Nissan Pathfinder and headed out. Even though I was in Salt Lake City at the time, it was still a 7,000-mile round trip and one I will never forget. During that entire time I only recall uttering one (minor) profanity, when I almost drove into a moose.
Unfortunately Bill Bryson, played by Robert Redford, and Stephen Katz, played by Nick Nolte, could not cap their tongues as they launched their great adventure, to walk the Appalachian Trail, all 2,168.1 miles of it, stretching from Springer Mt. Ga., to Mt. Katahdin Maine. This is a moderately entertaining movie, and you no doubt can envision some of the issues that two old curmudgeons will run into as they head into the woods. (Redford who is actually 79 is made to look younger, and Nolte who is 74 is made to look older.)
A Walk in the Woods
Entertainment Rating: ★★
Rating: R, peppered with all kinds of profanity and plenty of sexual innuendos
Possible Oscar Nominations: None
I have fond memories of a boatload of Robert Redford movies. He was, without a doubt, the fastest draw in history as the Sundance Kid, the perfect foil in The Sting and was flawless as The Horse Whisperer. The list goes on. Nick Nolte on the other hand hasnāt made many movies that I got excited about, although 48 Hours with Eddie Murphy (circa 1982) was fun. The two actually complement each other in this film, Redford a smooth talking and successful author living in New Hampshire, and Nolte a crusty, gravel voiced refugee from Iowa, a step or two ahead of some outstanding warrants, but the two do have a history dating back a number of years and it leads to their connection for this adventure.
In the meantime, the real meat of this movie is the trail itself. Beautiful in many spots, rugged in others and populated with walkers from all over the world, I would classify this as a āpartialā documentary about this special place. Seeing it in reality on the wide screen, makes me wish I was 25 years younger and owned some really good walking shoes, although lugging a heavy backpack and sleeping in a tent might dissuade me.
The movie does have a few moments, but so much of it is predictable. The bulk of the dialogue consists of the conversations between the two as they struggle along, some of it interesting, some of it inane. I left the theatre still willing to look at Redford movies (if he decides to make anymore), but convinced I will not go to any more Nolte flicks.
If you have a great adventure, fulfilled or not, let me know and weāll try to weave them into a future column or two.
