The Walker

 Year:  2007

Director:  Paul Schrader

Screenplay:  Paul Schrader

Starring:  Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Ned Beatty, Moritz Bleibtreu, Mary Beth Hurt, Lily Tomlin, Willem Dafoe

Running Time:  107 minutes

Genre:  Thriller, drama

Washington, D. C.:  Carter Page III (Harrelson) is a "walker" - he is paid to accompany wealthy wives to events, and act as companion, confidante, and cards partner.  One of his clients, Lyn Lockner (Scott Thomas), who is married to a powerful United States Senator, is having an affair with a lobbyist, but when she discovers her lover's murdered body, Carter reports the crime in order to cover up her affair.  However, Carter almost immediately becomes the prime suspect in the enquiry.  As he attempts to uncover the truth and clear his name, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous political conspiracy.

The character of the "gay best friend" has become almost a stereotype in any number of dramas and comedies.  Usually the character comforts and helps the female lead with bitchy remarks and sharp-tongues comments, adding some humour and park to the proceedings.  Woody Harrelson's Carter Page III is almost like a "gay best friend" for hire.  The last of a distinguished Southern family, we meet him at the card table in a luxury hotel suite with the three older women that he escorts, playing canasta and holding court with arch remarks and witticisms.  Immaculately dressed, urbane, debonair with a strong line in clever remarks, and an extensive knowledge of all the best things in life.  Carter, who is gay, acts as friend and companion, but doesn't sleep with his clients.  The character is still in the long tradition of Paul Schrader's troubled, lonely men.  He lives alone in an immaculate apartment, and spends much of his time, perfecting his appearance, including his wig, which he removes only once, briefly, and researching his topics of conversation.  Although he has a boyfriend, they never seem to be all that close, and no-one else appears to be allowed into Carter's golden kingdom.  In fact, Carter's whole life seems to be a succession of facades that he puts up for other people.  This is the problem with Schrader's film, despite a fantastic performance by Harrelson, there doesn't really appear to be anything behind Carter's genteel politeness, and immaculate suits, except the briefest flickers which we see when he is angered or upset.  The supporting cast is full of great performances, including Lauren Bacall as the Grand Dame of Washington, who rivals Carter in her command of waspish remarks.  Kristin Scott Thomas is very good as the unfaithful wife, terrified of discovery.  Ned Beatty is perfectly oily as a rich, nasty, old Senator.  Originally conceived as a sequel to Schrader's 1980 film American Gigolo, this is a cleverly written film, but it feels surprisingly bland and workmanlike for Schrader.  Despite being set in Washington, the film was mostly filmed in Britain and the Isle of Man, and despite the strong cast, it has the feel of a TV movie about it, and the references to the Iraq War seem shoehorned in to give the film some contemporary relevance.  However the film has a witty and intelligent script, and it is worth seeing for the performances.  

  Kristin Scott Thomas and Woody Harrelson in The Walker