A Walk in the Woods: Robert Redford and Nick Nolte stroll out the jokes in this wild journey

WHEN movie characters undertake an epic hike it’s usually because they hope to find themselves somewhere on the track.

Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) and Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) in a scene from A WALK IN THE WOODS, directed by Ken Kwapis. In cinemas September 3, 2015. An Entertainment One Films release. For more information contact Claire Fromm: [e-mail]

WHEN movie characters undertake an epic hike it’s usually because they hope to find themselves somewhere on the track.

At the start of the year we saw Reese Witherspoon as the troubled young Cheryl Strayed in Wild, taking on the Pacific Crest Trail as part therapy, part atonement.

Now we have the acclaimed travel writer Bill Bryson, portrayed here by Robert Redford.

Prompted by boredom with press interviews and intimations of mortality after a friend’s funeral, he says goodbye to his English wife (Emma Thompson, surely too young to be playing Redford’s partner) and heads off to tackle the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

Along the journey he takes an unlikely companion. Stephen Katz is out of shape, alcoholic and an annoying old rascal.

Nick Nolte’s portrayal — grizzled, growling and on the lookout for overweight women he can seduce — is an amusing foil for the thoughtful, introspective Bryson.

Their journey involves such dangers as bears, blizzards and a know-it-all solo hiker (Kristen Schaal) whom they meet in the wild and who invites herself to be their walking buddy.

On their way Bryson and Katz discuss life, friendship, addiction, past adventures and girls.

Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) and Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) in a scene from A Walk in the Woods.

Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) and Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) are a pleasure to watch in the new film.

Their jokes about women are starting to get a bit offensive when a crisis intervenes.

Redford acquired the rights to Bryson’s book years ago and takes plenty of liberties with
the facts.

For one thing, Bryson was in his forties when he undertook the trail.

Redford, 79, makes no effort whatsoever to make himself look like the author.

But just as Bryson’s books make for good light reading, this is satisfactory light viewing. There’s little at stake and nothing too profound to be gained, apart from a few pleasant American wilderness vistas and the jocular company of two veteran stars.

Opens Thursday

A WALK IN THE WOODS

Released by EntertainmentOne

Star rating 3/5

Director Ken Kawpis

Starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson

Rating M

Running time 105 minutes

Verdict Nothing too strenuous for viewers who go along on this hike

Originally published as A Walk in the Woods: Robert Redford and Nick Nolte stroll out the jokes in this wild journey