The Walker (2007)

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writer (WGA):

Paul Schrader (written by)

Release Date:

10 August 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

Everyone loves a good scandal

Plot:

An escort who caters to Washington D.C.'s society ladies becomes involved in a murder case.

Plot Keywords:

Threat | Washington D.C. | Police | Investigation | Gay Son

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Woody Harrelson	...	Carter Page III
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Lynn Lockner
Lauren Bacall	...	Natalie Van Miter
Ned Beatty	...	Jack Delorean
Moritz Bleibtreu	...	Emek Yoglu
Mary Beth Hurt	...	Chrissie Morgan
Lily Tomlin	...	Abigail Delorean
Willem Dafoe	...	Larry Lockner
William Hope	...	Mungo Tenant
Geff Francis	...	Detective Dixon
Steven Hartley	...	Robbie Kononsberg
Garrick Hagon	...	John Krebs
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Ethan Withal
Allen Lidkey	...	Andrew Salesperson
Stewart Alexander	...	Edgar

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violent material and nude images.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

USA:R | Ireland:15A | Canada:14A | Sweden:11 | Finland:K-13 | Singapore:M18 | Australia:M | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Isle of Man

Company:

Kintop Pictures

Trivia:

Paul Schrader told HX magazine that Woody Harrelson refused to do any publicity for this movie because he was dissatisfied with his own performance in it.

Quotes:

Natalie Van Miter: [looking at the placards on the table] ... There *you* are, and between us; The Sub-head of the Task Force on Terrorism. That man couldn't find the ground if he fell on it.

Movie Connections:

References "Blind Ambition" (1979)

Soundtrack:

Angel Eyes (Kaos Remix)

A Tour de Force for a Fine Cast of Seasoned Actors

THE WALKER (defined as a man who escorts rich ladies around town in their leisure) is both a pungent political comment and a fine mystery from Paul Schrader who both wrote and directed this smart film and had the good fortune to surround his tale with a fine cast of actors. It may not be a film for everyone, but it will satisfy viewers who tire of superficial fluff films, allowing time to ponder the way we live and converse today.

Carter Page III (Woody Harelson in one of his finest performances) is an openly gay, well- heeled, dapper man about town who devotes his life to pleasing the wealthy wives of men in high government levels in Washington, DC. Together with Abby (Lily Tomlin), Natalie (Lauren Bacall), Chrissy (Mary Beth Hurt), and Lynn (Kristin Scott Thomas) the group gossips, plays canasta in an expensive hotel parlor, and confides secrets that are surefire rumor fodder. Lynn is escorted by Carter to her lover's home for a tryst only to find the lover murdered. Carter attempts to protect Lynn from scandal only to become implicated himself. Carter discovers secrets about his own insecurities, and while he is solidly supported by his lover Emek (the excellent Moritz Bleibtreu), an artist of strange works that prove subtle background connotations of the mystery that is unwinding, he must face the realities of his decision when confronting husbands, lawyers, police, and intelligence agents (portrayed by such fine actors as Ned Beatty, Willem Defoe, William Hope and Geff Francis). The story is, in many ways, an examination of the corruption in Washington, DC - a fact that may explain why it did not enjoy a long theater run.

For viewers who appreciate fine dialogue and a smart story with well-delineated characters portrayed by superb actors, this is a film that should not be neglected. Grady Harp