Genre: Self Discovery, Travel, Friendship
Rating: PG Mild themes, drug use and coarse language
Cast: Martin Sheen (Apocalypse Now, Bobby) Emilio Estevez (Repo Man, The Breakfast Club)
Director: Emilio Estevez
The Way" is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical 800km pilgrimage to honor his son's desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn't plan on is the profound impact the journey will have on him and his "California Bubble Life". Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, each with their own issues and looking for greater meaning in their lives: the Dutchman, a delightful person living his life to the max, but, suffering the same burden of the world over by enjoying too much of the earthly pleasures and wearing it as a spare tyre. Sarah is complex and, having surpassed her child bearing years without yield, reflects on her decision to have an abortion during her abusive marriage. And Jack, the Scottish writer suffering the infamous 'writer's block' expounds all sorts of theories on life. An unlikely group whose growing friendship, discovery, support and enlightenment on this tour de force is motivational.
Selection:
Early morning previews are not my favourite but nothing could perturb the delight in this travel log of friendship, humanity and without being expressly spiritual, there is an ethereal resonance in the desires of this unlikely group to attain some kind of self-resolve in their life. I can imagine myself in their numbers trying to walk out an inner conflict amidst the gorgeous landscape, the crusty vernacular of the village architecture and transient experiences of their society. Trust me, you will relate!
Reviews:
"A sensuous, expansive hymn to travel and transformation in a movie that honors earthly pleasures as readily as it contemplates higher things." Anne Hornaday Washington Post
"Open yourself up to this thoughtful, moving personal adventure and you're in for a uniquely memorable experience." Peter Travers Rolling Stone
"The Way is inspiring, cathartic, poetic, hopeful, and makes you want to throw on a backpack, start walking and find yourself." Blake Howard That Movie Show
"Estevez takes full advantage of the beautiful mountain scenery, dramatic skies and ancient architecture to give us moments of quiet wonder. Bruce Damara Toronto Star