A Penn State alumnus who has crafted a lengthy resume and garnered deserved accolades as a screenwriter recently published his first book, "Old Man Johnson," which features an “elderly” 23-year-old.
Andrew Kevin Walker, who earned his film-video degree in 1986, wrote “8 MM” and “Seven,” and crafted the screenplay for Tim Burton’s “Sleepy Hollow.” He also worked on the scripts for “The Game” and “Fight Club,” and has served as the screenwriter for the upcoming action/thriller “The Girl Who Played with Fire” starring Daniel Craig.
Walker’s debut novel, set in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, focuses on Abbie, a 20-something free spirit who is dreading her looming parent-mandated enrollment in graduate school.
When she makes a semi-annual pilgrimage to visit her perfectly well meaning and perfectly boring grandfather, Abbie is roused out of her quarter-life crisis when she meets her grandfather’s persnickety, oddball friend, Johnson. With his cane and elderly clothing, he is the very picture of a bitter old man. The problem is, Johnson is 23 years old, and apparently completely delusional. Also a problem: Abbie is falling in love with him.
Walker’s novel is an off-kilter, coming-of-age romantic comedy for both the old and young at heart.