Dir. Paul Schrader, US/UK, 2007, 107 mins
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Lauren Bacall, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily Tomlin
Review by Sian Thatcher
Returning to his favourite theme of the ‘outsider’, Paul Schrader’s political thriller The Walker is understated and witty, and sees him back on top form.
Woody Harrelson takes the eponymous role as Carter Page III, the ‘walker’ in the film, squiring senators wives around Washington DC to high society bashes.
But as Lynn’s (Scott Thomas) secret lover is killed and she is implicated in his death, Carter becomes embroiled in a political scandal. He covers up her presence at the scene of the murder, but in doing so finds himself in trouble. And far from being thanked, he finds the doors of former close friends shutting to him as he becomes more and more involved. Should he stand by his friend to allow her and her liberal senator husband to save face or tell the truth?
A bookend to his earlier American Gigolo, The Walker is a skewed look at Julian Kaye 20 years on. He’s now out of the closet, but is still narcissistic and superficial. Changing tack from his usual roles, Harrelson nevertheless carries off the lead with aplomb – he manages to makes his gossipy character from a well-to-do Virginia family likeable – not an easy job. Lauren Bacall, Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily Tomlin make up the dream team of grand dames, and each hold their own among the stellar cast, in the cool clinical atmosphere of the US Capital.
With images of Abu Ghraib and political corruption the name of the game, this is without doubt Schrader’s commentary on the situation in Iraq, and mixed with Schrader’s powerful ability to create a fascinating ‘lonely man’ of a character such as Carter, this is well worth a look.
With many of his fans hoping for more of his earlier work after the disasterous Exorcist Prequel, this will be a welcome return. And at a young 61 years, hopefully he’s got lots more to come…
You May Also Like.......
Dir. Gilles Paquet-Brenner, France, 2010, 110 mins, in English/French/some Italian and German with subtitles
Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas, Melusine Mayance, Niels Arestrup,
Review by Carol Allen
It is interesting that this ...
READ MORE
Dir. Oren Moverman, USA, 2009, 112 mins
Cast: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton
Review by Eva Moravetz
Since the first Iraq War and the continuing ‘war on terror’, there ...
READ MORE
Dir. Lucia Puenzo, Argentina/Spain/France, 2007, 86 mins, subtitles
Cast: Ines Efron, Martin Piroyanksy, Ricardo Darin
Review by Jean Lynch
Being fifteen is never the easiest stage in life, but imagine a puberty engulfed ...
READ MORE
Dir. Jake Kasdan, US, 2007, 96 mins
Cast: John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Kristen Wiig
Review by Carol Allen
Producer Judd Apatow, who co-wrote the film with Kasdan, ...
READ MORE
Dir. Peter Hedges, US, 2007, 98 minutes
Cast: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook
Review by Michelle Moore
Variously described as a “dramedy”, Dan In Real Life is more drama, with ...
READ MORE
Dir. John Dahl, US, 2007, 93 mins
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Tea Leoni, Luke Wilson
Review by Carol Allen
The pun in the title here gives the flavour the movie, ...
READ MORE
Dir. Allan Moyle, US, 2007, 90mins
Cast: Scott Speedman, Wes Bentley, Taryn Manning
Review by Matthew Rodgers
Indie favourite Allan Moyle (Pump Up The Volume, Empire Records) returns to the small town underbelly ...
READ MORE
Dir. Adrienne Shelley, US, 2007, 108 mins
Cast: Keri Russell, Jeremy Sisto, Cheryl Hines, Nathan Fillion
Review by Carol Allen
This is the third and final film from ...
READ MORE
Dir. David Yates, UK/US, 2007, 138 mins
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman
Review by Jean Lynch
At first glance, one ...
READ MORE
Dir. Michael Ian Black, US, 2007, 90 mins
Cast: Jason Biggs, Isla Fisher, Joe Pantoliano, Joanna Gleeson, Michael Weston
Review by Michelle Moore
Black makes his feature writing and directing debut with ...
READ MORE
Sarah’s Key – Elle s’appelait Sarah (12A) |
The Messenger (15) | Close-Up Film Review
XXY (15) | Close-Up Film Review
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (15) |
Dan In Real Life (PG) | Close-Up Film
You Kill Me (15) | Close-Up FIlm
Weirdsville (18) | Close-Up Film Review
Waitress (12A) | Close-Up Film Review
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Wedding Daze (15) | Close-Up Film Review
