A Walk in the Woods

Cast: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Streenburgen and Nick Offerman.

Director: Ken Kwapis

Release Date: 2015

Running Time: 1hr 44 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 15

Format: Amazon Prime UK

Synopsis:

After spending two decades in England, Bill (Redford) returns to the United States where he decides the best way to connect to his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends.

Based on the best selling novel of the same name, Bill Bryson (Redford) is inspired to hike the Appalachian trial after attending a funeral, he's recently done a press release for one of his books, that doesn't quite go to plan, after being questioned why nothing has inspired him to write about what he's been upto since his return to the United States. His wife Catherine (Emma Thompson) isn't too keen on the idea at first and his son Sam tries to talk him out of it. He soon starts to do some research like buying a book called "How to stay alive in the woods" , it's not long before one of his oldest friends, Stephen (Nick Nolte) decides he wants to join him on the trek.

Robert Redford delivers a wonderful performance as Bill, the friendship between Bill and Stephen is absolutely fantastic, it's not too long before they soon start to get on one another's nerves, Stephen wanting to stop at every opportunity they get, climbing into his tent with his trousers half way round his backside. Before long they are introduced to Mary Ellen (Schaal) a very honest hiker. Soon she starts driving the two of them nuts, waking them up in the night singing, schooling them on their tents and telling them what to eat. The dialogue is really fantastic, this is a really funny film, Nolte and Redford work beautifully on screen, delivering two very funny performances. The best thing about this film is you wouldn't expect it to be a comedy, the humour really adds to the friendship between Stephen and Bill and really adds to the tone of the film, I love how it goes through the months to show how far they have come on their journey, experiencing, sun, snow and rain, the whole way.

A walk in the woods is a stunning looking film, director of photography John Bailey has managed to capture the gorgeous scenery of North Carolina and Georgia. Even the scenes shot at night are beautifully captured. Most of the film is shot outside obviously, although the production department have done a nice job in creating wooden cabins along the trail where Bill and Stephen frequently stay, this is where we are nicely introduced to Jeannie (Streenburgen), who works at one of the cabins. Redford also finds himself up to his waste in mud. although Bryson is married it's quite clear that he's got feelings for Jeannie. It's not so much a hike but a journey.  The story takes a pretty interesting turn. What would you do if you saw a grizzly bear?

This movie isn't just about a walk in the woods with two friends, it's about friendship, courage and that your never too old to do anything, age is just a number, it's never too late to catch up with friends, if this movie doesn't inspire you to do one of those things, that I'm not entirely sure what will. This film really will fill your heart with so much love, joy and inspiration. One can only imagine how inspiring the novel must be. If you've read the novel, don't let this movie put you off, beautiful and inspiring!

5/5 stars