A Walk in the Woods
A Walk in the Woods

Movie spotlight

A Walk in the Woods

2015
Movie
104 min
English

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.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes34%
Metacritic51/100
Google Users59%
Director: Ken KwapisGenres: Comedy, Adventure, Drama

Plot Summary

Bill Bryson, an author known for his quirky travelogues, decides to hike the Appalachian Trail, a trek spanning over 2,190 miles. To his surprise, his estranged old friend Katz, a man with a penchant for drinking and womanizing, volunteers to join him. Despite their contrasting personalities and Katz's questionable reliability, the two unlikely companions embark on a challenging and often humorous journey through some of America's most beautiful, yet formidable, natural landscapes. Their adventure becomes a test of endurance, friendship, and self-discovery.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, who often praised the performances of the lead actors, particularly Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, and the scenic cinematography. However, many found the humor to be hit-or-miss and felt the film didn't fully capture the spirit or depth of Bryson's original book.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film benefits greatly from the charisma and chemistry of its lead actors, Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.

  • While visually appealing and offering moments of levity, the narrative struggles to maintain momentum and fully explore its themes.

  • Some critics found the humor too broad or predictable, detracting from the potential for deeper character study or insightful commentary.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be an enjoyable, albeit somewhat predictable, road trip/buddy comedy. Many appreciated the stunning scenery and the performances of the veteran actors, though some felt it didn't live up to the book's reputation.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Ken Kwapis, also directed the popular television series 'The Office', and many of the actors involved in 'A Walk in the Woods' have had careers spanning decades in both film and television.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Too old to rock 'n' roll, but not to hike the Appalachian Trail_** Robert Redford stars as an over-the-hill writer who decides to hike the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. After his wife (Emma Thompson) insists he get a partner, the only...

Reno

Reno

> 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 th...