The Sundance Kid returns, debuts new film

PARK CITY, Utah — Robert Redford's first movie at Sundance Film Festival in more than a decade had its world premiere Friday.

The Sundance co-founder held his premiere of A Walk in the Woods an hour away at a large venue in downtown Salt Lake City, marking the expansion of the festival beyond the crowded ski resort town.

Redford and stars Nick Nolteand Nick Offerman were on hand at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center for the opening. The last Redford film at Sundance was 2004's The Clearing.

The 78-year-old actor described the road-trip comedy, adapted from Bill Bryson's 1998 best seller of the same name, as a tale of friendship lost and regained, set amid scenic vistas. Redford said he laughed out loud when he read the book about 15 years ago.

A Walk in the Woods follows a pair of old pals, Bill (Redford) and Steve (Nolte), as they hike the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. It also stars Emma Thompson as Cathy, Bill's wife. She's against the idea of the hike and worries about the dangers her husband might encounter. She insists he take along a traveling companion. A casual call from Steve, whom Bill hasn't heard from in decades after a falling out, leads to the duo hitting the trail.

Bill is in shape for the trip. But the grizzled Steve, an overweight, recovering alcoholic, is in shambles. They set off in the spring, planning to hike from Georgia to Maine before winter sets in. (In the book, the two men are in their 40s; in the movie, they're in their 70s.)

In the amusing film, the duo meet various fellow travelers along the way, including a ditzy hiker played by Kristen Schaal, and a friendly innkeeper played by Mary Steenburgen, who has designs on Bill. The pair amble through picturesque greenery and absorb various life lessons.

Redford, who also produced the film, plays a more comic role than he has in a while, while Nolte's rascally character is a big source of humor.

Bryson, on hand at the premiere, said he was thrilled when he heard Redford was interested in adapting his book into a film.

"He only makes intelligent movies," said Bryson.

The film, directed by Ken Kwapis, has been in the works for a while. Redford came on board in 2005. Originally, the plan was to reunite the Butch Cassidy duo — Paul Newman and Redford — for the scenic trip. But after Newman died in 2008, "we had to reconstruct it," said Redford.