Movie review: A Walk in the Woods (+trailer)

Robert Redford (left) and Nick Nolte star in film based on author Bill Bryson's hike of the Appalachian Trail.

A Walk in the Woods (M)
98 minutes
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

On the face of it, A Walk in the Woods appeared like a sleepy tale of two older men looking for something missing in their lives.

But it's so much more.

It's a great story and is very funny.

If you have ever been on a hike or stayed overnight in a bush hut, you'll laugh even harder.

Author Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) and Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) have an unlikely chemistry about them and their Odd Couple vibe pays off handsomely.

Bryson, the famed travel author, wanted to challenge himself and achieve the physical test of hiking the 3500km-long Appalachian Trail in northeastern United States.

His life had become too comfortable after a series of successful travel books.

Bryson's wife (Emma Thompson) refused to let him go without a companion, so he invited anyone he knew.

When old friend Katz heard on the grapevine of the mission, he put his hand up.

Katz was not your typical long-distance hiker - life had taken a hard toll on his body and he was a recovering alcoholic.

There was not much faith anywhere that this adventure was going to end in success for either men.

The pair headed into the wilderness doing things their way and meeting an interesting collection of fellow hikers along the way.

It was difficult and the physical challenges were non-stop. If it wasn't fatigue, it was dangerous terrain, snow, rain or grizzly bears.

Although Katz was ready to give it away on many occasions, Bryson was determined to finish.

With each step, an unbreakable bond formed between these unlikely friends, and a deep respect emerged.

A Walk in the Woods is a surprisingly warm and human tale of two men looking to complete their lives.