The Walker

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Willem Dafoe, Lily Tomlin, William Hope, Moritz Bleibtreu
Directed by: Paul Schrader
Review: Dave Burbidge
Release date: 14th Jan 2008

Carter Paige III (Harrelson) is a gay man, involved with a paparazzo photographer Emek (Bleibtrau), who acts as a professional escort in the circles of high society Washington. He escorts politicians wives to parties, rather than being the other sort of escort, and is liked for his politeness, charm and wit. One of his escorts, Lynn (Scott-Thomas) has a dead lover, Robbie Kononsberg (Steven Hartley) on her hands and she asks Carter to help her cover things up. This is when the slippery slope suddenly becomes a yawning chasm. When the investigation starts, district attorney Mungo Tenant (Hope) gets involved and soon knows about Lynn's affair with Robbie. We gradually discover Robbie's involvement with a shady investment company. Naturally Carter, in order to protect Lynn and himself, has to turn amateur investigator himself.

A slighty wordy thriller that evolves from a canasta party to murkier waters. Yes there are some red herrings, and the odd twist along the way. It is also an exploration of character that looks into Carter's lifestyle and even examines his mannerisms closely.