For more than 30 years, Iowan-born journalist Bill Bryson has popularised the art of travel writing.
He has lived on this side of the Atlantic for the majority of that time. Bryson returned to America for several years after the publication his 1995 book Notes From A Small Island, and during this period, he hiked the physically demanding Appalachian Trail with good friend Stephen Katz, which provided the inspiration for the book A Walk In The Woods.
Ken Kwapis’ film version retains the writer’s wry sense of humour and episodic structure, and provides Nick Nolte with a peach of a part as the crotchety sidekick, who wheezes and puffs in Bryson’s shadow (played by Robert Redford) as they wander the 2,200 miles separating Georgia and Maine.
A Walk In The Woods rests on the sturdy shoulders of Redford and Nolte and they are a delicious double-act.
Hearty guffaws are nicely balanced with moments of introspection and regret, making us wish this wonderful walk in the woods lasted longer than 104 minutes.