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…
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