A WALK IN THE WOODS
US, 2015, 104 minutes, Colour.
Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman, Kristin Schaal.
Directed by Ken Kwapis.
A lot of people have read Bill Bryson’s books, his travel, his observations of nature and history, his sense of humour as he encounters people, especially in the United Kingdom where he lived for many years, his return to his roots in the United States, other travels including Australia. Fans of his books may be interested to see how well they translate on to the screen. Of course, opinion is divided, some happy to share in Bryson’s experiences, others highlighting the limitations of a 104 minutes adaptation.
Many will appreciate Robert Redford’s presence as Bill Bryson. Again, on the other hand, Redford is decades is older than the real Bryson. In fact, Robert Redford at 78 when he made this film and, despite the dyed hair, generally looks his age or a touch beyond. But, he looks reasonably good in comparison with his companion on the Trail, Stephen Katz, the fictitious name for a real character from Bryson’s past who accepts invitation to do the walk (after so many friends him turned down, reasonably, especially one who had died sometime earlier!). Katz is played by Nick Nolte, looking larger than life, unkempt, lumbering around, certainly not a likely candidate to do this long hike.
As with Wild, the 2014 film about walking the Pacific Trail with Reese Witherspoon, there is activity, a long hike, expending energy, and looking at a lot of attractive scenery – perhaps enticing sitting-down audiences to venture out to see more of the US.
There is a great deal of humour in the repartee between the two (and more than a touch of compensation as they reminisce about sexual experiences and enjoy quite a bit of innuendo). It is inevitable that there are funny sequences as two old men, at times with the touch of the grumpies, pitch their tents, are enveloped in a snowstorm, fall into a river, gingerly walk along a ledge to little avail is over they go, try to frighten away huge bears…
There are also the people they meet along the way, generally friendly and helpful, although there is single-minded hiker called Mary Ellen (Kristen Schaal) who is absolutely full of herself, talks incessantly, is critical of the old men, praises herself for her achievement and is not plagued for a second by self-doubt. While irritating to them and to us, she stands out as one of the livelier characters of the film.
This is an opportunity to see something of the countryside of the United States, along the eastern rim, the Appalachian Trail. But, as maybe with the book, it is really a series of anecdotes any one of which could be eliminated, and any other one substituted in its place. While this does make the film enjoyable in its way, the anecdotal overcomes any of the more serious possible themes.
A great plus for the film, at the beginning and at the end, is the presence of Emma Thompson as Catherine Bryson.
A film night out rather than any deeper exploration of characters and their motivations.
1. The popularity of Bill Bryson as a writer, traveller, observer of history and nature, humourist?
2. The adaptation of the book, the context for the walk, the establishing of characters, pricing himself, his wife and family, Stephen Katz, the trail, the scenery and beauty, the dangers? The range of people on the Trail? The musical score?
3. The achievement, the motivation, the age of the walkers, their experience, intimations of death?
4. The picture of Catherine, her life with Bill Bryson, the long marriage, the children, her control, allowing him his travels, supporting his writing? English background, Bryson’s time in the UK? His books? The initial funeral, intimations of death? Her wanting him to mingle? The arguments, whether he should
go on the walk or not?
5. The interview on television, the awkwardness of the questions, his hesitance? The funeral and its impact? Seeing the information about the Appalachian Trail, the decision to go, discussing with his family, with Catherine, going to the shop, the salesman and his recommendations for the equipment? The variety of phone calls to his friends? Their all turning him down? Stephen Katz saying yes?
6. Robert Redford, so much older than Bryson, nearing 80, the credibility of his character, the walk? Stephen Katz, age, experience of life, drinking, debts, motivation for the walk? Nick Nolte in their past? His womanising, in prison, the photos and the family looking at them, his wild stories?
7. Going, the taxi, the wariness of the driver? Registering? The first steps and the effort? People passing them? The other travellers on the Trail? Young, men and women, vigorous?
8. The story of their progress and experience, carrying the tents, setting up, carrying the baggage, getting tired? The encounter with Mary Ellen, her incessant talk, not making a mistake, trying to avoid her? The men, the offer to help, crossing the water, falling in, drying out? The episode with the bears and fending them off, trying to frighten them? The motel, Stephen and his encounter with Beulah, her laundry, flirting, her husband on the lookout for him, their having to run away? The proprietor of the motel, her mother and Alzheimers, the rooms, no towels, the encounter and Stephen’s interpretation? Warned about the snow, the shelter? On the edge, talking, the views of the valley, climbing along the path, slipping, falling, the attempt to tie the clothes to make a rope, stuck on the branch, being rescued? A series of episodes? And the repartee and sexual reminiscences and innuendo?
9. The strength of the interlude with Mary Ellen, her age, determination, attitudes towards the men, incessant talk, something people up, star signs, self-confidence?
10. The past friendship, the different characters, the shared experiences, the bond, whether to stop the walk, Stephen and his wanting to hire the vehicle, Bill against it? The final decision after seeing the map, finding how much there was yet to walk, going home?
11. The achievement, the postcards, the memories of the trip?
