There's something going on here but what it is isn't exactly clear. Paul Schrader's muddled thriller benefits greatly from a very interesting Woody Harrelson performance along with a highly colorful supporting cast. Harrelson is a Washington DC society dandy who escorts ("walks") married women to various functions. He know all their secrets and where all the bodies are buried. When one doyenne (Kristin Scott Thomas) becomes embroiled in the murder case of a shifty lobbyist, Harrelson steps in and nearly takes the rap. Like the heroes in past Schrader films (LIGHT SLEEPER, American GIGOLO), Harrelson's character is deeply flawed and more than a little disinterested in his own fate. Harrelson plays his role as if channeling both Truman Capote AND Hercule Poirot! Schrader's script has a greatly paced first half but then all is rushed for a tidy completion. Still, the film is immensely watchable and full of many great lines of dialog ("never get between a friend and a firing squad"). Lauren Bacall is great as a grand old dame and Lily Tomlin, Ned Beatty and Marybeth Hurt are in it too.

There is an interesting premise and a good cast. Why is this movie so terribly boring? The story is predictable. Walker helps female friend but ends up taking heat until he is exonerated. High society doesn't prove to helpful.They needed a Dominic Dunne to write the story better.The pace is just way too slow. They could have cut half and hour at least. What a dismal job of directing. Woody Harrelson's slow drawl isn't Southern it's just moronic sounding. Lauren Bacall looks a bit too ancient here. Kristin Scott Thomas looks the part but sounds British.Don't bother with this dud. It's just a waste of a good cast.

An elegant murder mystery that fulfills on multiple levels. Harrelson is simply outstanding.Car, unlike his forebears and most who surround him, is an honorable man. He is also gay. The movie asks again and again: why does Car protect Lynn? !!!Spoilers follow!!! I propose an explanation beyond honor: unrequited love, pure and simple. Lynn is unable to accept Car's love.In an early conversation Lynn reminisces how "a young Carter Page once attempted to ask me out." Car replies "the 70's were a confusing decade: a lot of things were blurred." To Lynn their relationship is a friendship, but Car loves Lynn in the full sense of the word.Later in a scene in Car's car, he places his hand over Lynn's to comfort her, but her grief for Robbie interferes and she withdraws. The final scene wherein Car returns the photo to Lynn and she asks "Why did you stand by me?" reveals how unaware or unaccepting Lynn is of Car's love. Car gives his own explanation and we could settle for that alone. But then the camera shifts to Car's perspective as Lynn gracefully, beautifully, and in slow motion, walks out of the room and out of Car's life.

This is a film suitable for art movie lovers as one has to watch this movie with an open mind; this film cannot be watched once, one as the viewer will be totally lost! The film had a stunning soundtrack with excellent choices of synths and melodies which create a slow but mysterious atmosphere which indicates to the viewer that it will take time for them to know what is going on. And there are suspenseful shots so well composed that it will make one jump out of their seat and will keep one in suspense. Together, with the choice of music and cinematography, this film creates a mysterious environment which has crime which can happen any time any place. And again, something for art movie fans.