It’s a good day for ‘A Walk in the Woods’

A Walk in the Woods stars Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. Redford — who produces — casts himself as the real-life Bill Bryson, who is an author of popular travel books. In a pushing the end of midlife crisis, Bryson decides to walk the Appalachian Trail. Unable to find anyone to go with him, Bryson has to settle for his recovering alcoholic, overweight, long-lost and recently found friend Stephen Katz.

Their trip is hilarious.

A Walk in the Woods is an old-guy buddy flick. And it’s a good one. Redford and Nolte have great chemistry. Both are brilliant at subtle comedy, and deliver their lines with tongue perfectly in cheek. Redford — as always — is impossible not to like. He’s calm, focused, in control and easy to watch as the fulcrum for the film and Nolte’s comedy.

Another plus. Nolte is undeniably a great actor. But he’s notorious for the incoherent mumbling of his lines. This may be the first movie he’s done in a decade or more where you can understand everything he says.

And Nolte is really funny.

Redford and Nolte are supported by Emma Thompson, who plays Bryson’s patient wife; Mary Steenburgen is the owner of a small inn where the two men stay for the night; the always fun Nick Offerman; and by Kristen Schaal (Bob’s Burgers). Schaal is a hilarious lady whose nonstop jabbering drives them crazy and forces the two men to hide from her.

A Walk in the Woods took 10 years for Robert Redford to make. Originally, he wanted Paul Newman to play Nick Nolte’s part. Newman died before anything was finalized. Then other stuff got in the way, but Redford stuck with it, eventually hired Ken Kwapis to direct and — presto — it’s one of 2015’s best movies.

For some, at least.

There are places that some will find offensive. Nolte’s Stephen Katz is a serial sexist who loves large women. While I agree it’s in poor taste, it is also true to Billy Bryson’s book upon which A Walk in the Woods is based.

Like the two actors, director Kwapis has exceptional comedy timing. His resume is B-list rom-coms, like He’s Just Not into You and License to Wed, and the nice but forgettable Big Miracle. Pros like Redford, Nolte and the others make a director’s job easy, and Kwapis has made an easy film to watch.

Redford said he had to make it into a movie because he couldn’t remember laughing so loud while reading a book. Your good fortune is getting to laugh out loud in his movie.

This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "It’s a good day for ‘A Walk in the Woods’."