THE walker is the name given by a US magazine editor to the men, usually gay, who step out to social events as escorts of the wives of politicians and other influential men.

Writer-director Paul Schrader's new film is a companion piece to his American Gigolo that contemplates what might happen to a middle-aged gigolo. Harrelson is unlikely casting as the effete homosexual but turns in a praiseworthy performance that could hardly have been bettered as Carter Page III.

Washington DC is the patch worked by this society walker, whose weekly canasta sessions with his three main female friends (played by Bacall, Tomlin and Thomas) positively overdose on bitchy banter. Matters take an unwelcome turn when he drives Lynn (Thomas) to a romantic assignation at her lover's house only to find him dead. Not wishing to be implicated in his murder, Lynn lets her walker clean up the mess.

Carter finds himself in deep trouble, as his photographer boyfriend (Bleibtrau) is dragged into the conspiracy. By hiding the truth, he becomes the prime suspect and finds various political interests manipulating his behaviour and causing trouble for their rivals. Besides Harrelson, watching Bacall, Tomlin and Thomas as a sort of coven of Washington witches is a joy to behold. Writer-director Schrader doesn't quite manage to sustain the melodrama right to the end, but The Walker is a witty and wise breath of free air among the summer blockbusters.

Stars: Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Ned Beatty, Moritz Bleibtreu, Mary Beth Hurt, Lily Tomlin
Running time: 108 mins
Rating: Four stars