MovieChat Forums > A Walk in the Woods (2015) Discussion > How to handle Katz's drinking?

How to handle Katz's drinking?

posted 8 years ago by otter
3 replies | jump to latest

In the book, Katz actually began drinking again towards the end of the trip, and Bryson was horrified and there were emotional confrontations, which contributed to the near-disaster that ended the trip.

In the finished film, Katz is totally mellow about drinking, and throws away the bottle of booze that he's been carrying all this way, even though he's been throwing away his food and water. There's no real drama.

So the question is, which would have made a better film? The way it was done, or the way it happened in the book?

“Seventy-seven courses and a regicide, never a wedding like it!

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6544) 7 years ago

So drama is your own criterion?
What about having a meditation on life and death?

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

I didn't read the book so I'm a little biased towards the movie. I think the bottle scene was set up and executed very well in the film. My wife and I were sure it would lead to a confrontation like what the book apparently has. Perhaps they went the movie direction to keep the film light or reduce the reel time. Personally, I like the bottle throw. It's a redeeming quality for a character who doesn't have a lot going for him.

[–] brux (14840) 3 years ago

I place a high premium on truth, wherever it may lead.