Hey folks. Capone in Chicago here.

Woody Harrelson has always been one of those actors that I like keeping an eye on. After injecting some much needed humor into NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, he creates one of the most interesting and nuanced roles of his career, that of Carter Page III, a D.C. gossip collector and friend/escort to many of the city's female high-society types. With his well-trimmed moustache and a variety of suave hair pieces, Carter finds himself mixed up in a murder investigation while helping a senator's wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) keep her involvement in the matter from the police. As much as the film is about the killing, writer-director Paul (AUTOFOCUS) Schrader is clearly more interested in Carter's story and his thrilling mix of mostly elderly socialite friends. Lauren Bacall, Lily Tomlin and Mary Beth Hurt are among the ladies he plays cards with and trades secrets concerning the D.C. elite.

While it's no secret that Carter is gay (his younger partner is played by German-born Moritz Bleibtreu of RUN LOLA RUN), even this small hint of scandal surrounding his involvement in this case has his long-time friends running for the hills. There's an almost-chilling scene in which Bacall explains to Carter why he's being ostracized; she's so polite about it that you almost don't notice how shallow and cruel she's being. The situation isn't helped by the fact that Carter's father was a well-respected political figure, and every senator Carter comes into contact with (especially Ned Beatty as Tomlin's husband) makes him feel like that much more of a disappointment.

As the writer of such films as TAXI DRIVER, RAGING BULL, and THE MOSQUITO COAST, it comes as no surprise that Schrader has a real gift for dialog, and Harrelson's portrait of a man watching his hard-earned reputation and lifestyle slip away before his eyes is crushing. At its core, the film is about a man just beyond his prime, but who has been able to deny it because of the company he keeps. When the friends disappear, the fragile nature of his status shows itself. Harrelson is so good here that you can forgive the film its flaws. Willem Dafoe shows up briefly as Thomas's senator husband who barely manages to hide his contempt for Carter as he threatens to have him investigated for the murder if he breathes a word of his wife's involvement. It's a tricky story that is matched by beautifully layered performances by all the actors. THE WALKER is one of those small treasures that sneaks out at the end of the year, hoping for a little critical recognition but usually getting lost in the public eye. But I implore you to seek this one out if you're looking for something out of the ordinary.

Capone