The Way [DVD] (2010)

This is a really lovely film. Its not " religious " as such but about the meeting of different characters on the Pilgrimage. One of those films you don't want to end.

I initially discovered this film on Amazon Prime, and immediately fell in love with it.I've purchased the DVD just in case it becomes unavailable to view, and have watched it numerous times since.It's a beautiful film which tells a moving story of a father's loss, and how he finds redemption and peace by embracing and experiencing his deceased sons life choices.The storyline, acting, characterisation, cinematography and all round feeling of this movie are superb.As I said in the header above this film has inspired me to attempt 'The Way' next year, and I'm currently in the process of preparing for it.In my younger years back in another life before mortgage and family took precedence, I did my fair share of backpacking.This film rekindled that desire for the freedom of the open road, having a rough idea of your ultimate goal yet being flexible and open as to how you achieve it.I do have a couple of minor gripes with this film, although not things which would deter me from giving it a five star rating.If you watch this film, when you get to the part where the "Jack from Ireland" James Nesbitt character is introduced discount it, because his character does improve and doesn't grate so much later on. However I have to admit that initially his character is so OTT and irritating that it could put people off the entire movie (and the fact that I'm Irish has no bearing on this either way, he's just an off-the-scale annoying character).The other thing is the denim jeans.Two and sometimes three of the four main characters are wearing jeans most of the time in the film. Denim is the most impractical clothing you can wear when hiking, and would be totally unsuitable for a 30-35 day hike. It's heavy, uncomfortable, it gets wet and when it does it takes forever to dry, especially considering this was filmed in the Autumn when you're going to get a lot of rain.Most of the advice seasoned veterans give regarding walking The Camino focuses on wearing proper footwear, clothing, and keeping weight to an absolute minimum.Jeans are not a viable option, and if you did bring them I'd suspect you'd bin them at the first available opportunity to buy something more practical.Actually if you look at the scene early on where Martin Sheen gets off the train and there are lots of backpackers in the background, none of them are wearing jeans!Anyway, those two gripes aside, "The Way" is still a fantastic movie.What other film can you think of that potentially encourages people to contemplate a lifestyle change?A little gem of a movie.Edit: As Christmas approached I was walking 12km per day and steadily increasing, the flights were booked, the route was planned and I had acquired all the lightweight gear to attempt the Camino, then...I woke up one morning and decided that no, I wouldn't walk the Camino.I didn't want to leave my dog for such an extended time (even though she would be well looked after by my daughters), and the time taken up in training would be better served in getting my garden prepared for growing crops. So I was staying put.Then a funny thing happened...the world was turned upside down by a supposed pandemic.So there were no flights, no travel, and no Camino anyway!I've always been a great believer in following your "gut instinct" which has only been reinforced by this event.I decided not to walk a Camino, which turned out to be a non event anyway?It's still a great film, but the way things are going it could turn out to be consigned to the history books of things people used to do "back in the day".

Just buy it

Whilst I had heard of the film, I knew nothing about it apart from a recommendation from 'Pendragon' on one of the Amazon religion forums. On a whim, but primarily on the basis of Pendragon's commendation, I bought it. I am glad that I did.The film is visually stunning, and follows the path of the grieving father (Martin Sheen) along the Camino de Santiago, retracing the steps of, and completing the pilgrimage of, his dead son. Sheen's performance is understated and unmelodramatic, and he convincingly carries off his own personal pilgrimage, as he transforms from a very self-contained individual into someone who is much more open to those he meets along the way. In that sense, 'The Way' provides a powerful analogy to the way we may choose to live our lives - and Sheen's highly engaging interview in the 'Extras' section, reinforces how he and his (real) son, Emilio Estevez, regarded the focus of the film.A few very minor criticisms. The flashbacks within the film don't, I think, adequately explain the fracturing of the relationship between father and son prior to the son's departure on his pilgrimage. It feels as if the makers have skated rather rapidly over this element in order to get to the main business of the pilgrimage itself, and this weakens the redemptive aspect to Sheen's determination to follow 'The Way' on behalf of his son. Another point that does not quite ring true is when the father scatters the balance of his son's ashes when he gets to Muros on the coast - given that he has significantly extended his journey, well past the 'normal' destination of pilgrims, it is odd that he would simply dump the ashes on the rocks and not scatter them in the sea, which would (given the visual symbolism) be much more meaningful.On a more positive note, I found the way in which the four main characters, when responding to questioning, trivialise their reasons for making the arduous journey to Santiago de Compostela, very true to life indeed - especially so after their own individual experiences of transcendence.But these are minor quibbles. This is a lovely, thoughtful film, and the acting is, throughout, extremely competent, and supportive of the overall thrust of the plot. Well worth a second viewing. And the interview with Martin Sheen is great, providing some helpful insights into the man and his motivations.

Perfect