In Wild, Reese Witherspoon played real-life writer Cheryl Strayed, who walked more than 1,000 miles along the Pacific Crest trail in search of herself. Here, Robert Redford plays real-life writer Bill Bryson, embarking upon a similar trek along the Appalachian trail, with grizzled old friend Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte, in a role originally envisaged for Paul Newman) for company and safekeeping. It’s undemanding fare as the crotchety pair shamble across country, falling in and out with each other, and occasionally falling over. Nolte growls like a bear, Redford smiles like a pro, and Mary Steenburgen goes weak at the knees, while Emma Thompson waits patiently at home wondering whether the old buggers will make it back. There are a few chuckles along the way, but only the scenery has any real depth.
