I really liked this film. It made me feel good. I loved the beautiful countryside camera shots. Those alone are worthy of National Geographic. The parts between conversations had a calming effect on me along with the soundtrack. I thought Martin Sheen did very well as did the other actors. They all worked so well together and by the end of the movie you could see they spent a lot of time together on the set and honestly got along or so it seemed and thats what made the movie impressive. Wonderful movie to watch with an uplifting vibe and quirky characters with a real bond make this a definite must see. I can actually see myself watching this for a second time and that's rare in films for me. Enjoy !
188 Reviews
A very moving and sentimental Spanish/US co-production about some pilgrims throughout Camino De Santiago
ma-cortes2 September 2020
"The Way" is a really nice film in which we face some peculiar roles 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 (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago. Rather than return home , Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to pay tribute his son's desire to finish the journey . Tom decides to journey on this path of pilgrims, what Tom doesn't scheme on is the profound impact the trip will have on him and his "California Bubble Life". Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon finds out that he will not be alone on this journey and he becomes stronger . On his journey, Tom meets other pilgrims from all around the world , each with their own issues and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a fatty man (Yorick van Wageningen) from Netherland, who wants to lose weight , a smoking Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an eccentric Irish writer (James Nesbitt) . From the unexpected and, often times, fun adventures , this unlikely quartet of misfits creates an everlasting bond and Tom begins to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world again. All of them are broken and looking for greater meaning in their lives , but along the way they strengthen their souls . Through Tom's unresolved relationship with his son, he discovers the difference between "the life we live and the life we ".Life is too big to walk it alone.
A powerful , thoughtful and inspirational story about a marvellous father-son relationship , some friends and the challenges have to face a motley grup of roles . Concerning a misfit group of people join and share view points, and amusing experiences along the way . An extremely stirring and touching movie with a lot of messages to fortify the human spirit. .Quartet starring are frankly good : the grieving Martin Sheen , the mature smoking Deborah Kara Unger , the burly Dutchman Yorick van Wageningen and James Nesbitt as an Irish writer who is suffering from a bout of writer's block. Martin Sheen is really fabulous as the beloved father heads overseas to recover the body of his estranged son who died while traveling The Way , he is the best character by mingling grief and paying tribute to his son, deciding to take the pilgrimage himself. It contains a colorful and evocative cinematography by Juan Miguel Azpiroz . Special mention for musical score composed by Tyler Bates , full of sensitive and attractive sounds. The motion picture was stunningly directed by Emilio Estevez who also appears briefly in some scenes along with his father Martin Sheen.
The film describes alrightly ¨The Camino de Santiago (Latin: Peregrinatio Compostellana, "Pilgrimage of Compostela"; Galician: O Camiño de Santiago), known in English as the Way of St. James , is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried . Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It is also popular with hiking and cycling enthusiasts and organized tour groups, and can be seen within the context of Christian colonization and Christianization. The Way of St. James was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the later Middle Ages, and a pilgrimage route on which a plenary indulgence could be earned;other major pilgrimage routes include the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Legend holds that St. James's remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain, where he was buried in what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela also called "Saint James" . The Way can take one of dozens of pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Traditionally, as with most pilgrimages, the Way of Saint James began at one's home and ended at the pilgrimage site. However, a few of the routes are considered main ones. During the Middle Ages, the route was highly travelled.The main pilgrimage route to Santiago follows an earlier Roman trade route, which continues to the Atlantic coast of Galicia, ending at Cape Finisterre. Although it is known today that Cape Finisterre, Spain's westernmost point, is not the westernmost point of Europe , the fact that the Romans called it Finisterrae (literally the end of the world) indicates that they viewed it as such. At night, the Milky Way overhead seems to point the way, so the route acquired the nickname "Voie lactée" - the Milky Way in French However, the Black Death, the Protestant Reformation, and political unrest in 16th century Europe led to its decline. By the 1980s, only a few hundred pilgrims per year registered in the pilgrim's office in Santiago. In October 1987, the route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe; it was also named one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Since the 1980s the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day international pilgrims. Whenever St. James's Day (25 July) falls on a Sunday, the cathedral declares a Holy or Jubilee Year . The French Way and the Routes of Northern Spain are the courses listed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
A powerful , thoughtful and inspirational story about a marvellous father-son relationship , some friends and the challenges have to face a motley grup of roles . Concerning a misfit group of people join and share view points, and amusing experiences along the way . An extremely stirring and touching movie with a lot of messages to fortify the human spirit. .Quartet starring are frankly good : the grieving Martin Sheen , the mature smoking Deborah Kara Unger , the burly Dutchman Yorick van Wageningen and James Nesbitt as an Irish writer who is suffering from a bout of writer's block. Martin Sheen is really fabulous as the beloved father heads overseas to recover the body of his estranged son who died while traveling The Way , he is the best character by mingling grief and paying tribute to his son, deciding to take the pilgrimage himself. It contains a colorful and evocative cinematography by Juan Miguel Azpiroz . Special mention for musical score composed by Tyler Bates , full of sensitive and attractive sounds. The motion picture was stunningly directed by Emilio Estevez who also appears briefly in some scenes along with his father Martin Sheen.
The film describes alrightly ¨The Camino de Santiago (Latin: Peregrinatio Compostellana, "Pilgrimage of Compostela"; Galician: O Camiño de Santiago), known in English as the Way of St. James , is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried . Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It is also popular with hiking and cycling enthusiasts and organized tour groups, and can be seen within the context of Christian colonization and Christianization. The Way of St. James was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the later Middle Ages, and a pilgrimage route on which a plenary indulgence could be earned;other major pilgrimage routes include the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Legend holds that St. James's remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain, where he was buried in what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela also called "Saint James" . The Way can take one of dozens of pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Traditionally, as with most pilgrimages, the Way of Saint James began at one's home and ended at the pilgrimage site. However, a few of the routes are considered main ones. During the Middle Ages, the route was highly travelled.The main pilgrimage route to Santiago follows an earlier Roman trade route, which continues to the Atlantic coast of Galicia, ending at Cape Finisterre. Although it is known today that Cape Finisterre, Spain's westernmost point, is not the westernmost point of Europe , the fact that the Romans called it Finisterrae (literally the end of the world) indicates that they viewed it as such. At night, the Milky Way overhead seems to point the way, so the route acquired the nickname "Voie lactée" - the Milky Way in French However, the Black Death, the Protestant Reformation, and political unrest in 16th century Europe led to its decline. By the 1980s, only a few hundred pilgrims per year registered in the pilgrim's office in Santiago. In October 1987, the route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe; it was also named one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Since the 1980s the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day international pilgrims. Whenever St. James's Day (25 July) falls on a Sunday, the cathedral declares a Holy or Jubilee Year . The French Way and the Routes of Northern Spain are the courses listed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
My way or ...
kosmasp3 August 2013
... my sons way. Emilio Estevez has shown on numerous occasions, that he seems to be the more sensible one. Then again comparing him to Charlie Sheen (and his recent outbursts nonetheless) would be unfair to his brother. And while Martin Sheen also took on another surname to make it in Hollywood (Charlie and Martin succeeded), Emilio chose to keep his name, even though it may have blocked some doors for him.
For this movie he reunites with his father (not the first time he's directing him, but the toughest shoot he put him through yet). It's a very personal story about loss and finding one's way. The title is apt then and the journey ahead of the characters may be long, but also very insightful. Great acting and great locations make this a movie that will make you sentimental for sure.
For this movie he reunites with his father (not the first time he's directing him, but the toughest shoot he put him through yet). It's a very personal story about loss and finding one's way. The title is apt then and the journey ahead of the characters may be long, but also very insightful. Great acting and great locations make this a movie that will make you sentimental for sure.
Martin Sheen walks 500 miles in northern Spain and it is a pleasure to watch every single one
chaz-2820 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Everyone has their own, personal reason for choosing to walk the real 500 mile Camino de Santiago. This is a trail which begins in France, winds its way through the French Pyrenees, across northern Spain's Basque region, and ends in Galicia at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Legend says St. James is buried here. Every year, thousands of 'pilgrims' make this arduous trek which can take months to accomplish. However, don't let the word pilgrim fool you; many people undertake this quest for non-religious reasons.
In fact, four such folk are the main characters in The Way. Tom (Martin Sheen) is a native Californian eye doctor who spends as much time on the links as he does at the office. He receives an unexpected phone call from a French policeman informing him his son Daniel (Emilio Estevez) died in southern France in a major storm. Tom flies out to France to collect his body and learns about the pilgrimage Daniel was just starting out on.
Tom and Daniel did not have the best parting one would like to have the last time you are going to see your son. Tom thought Daniel was wasting his life on these silly adventures while Daniel responded with the platitude, "You don't choose your life, you experience it." In a moment of remorse and homage, Tom decides to walk the 500 miles for Daniel with his cremated remains spreading his ashes along the way.
Quickly, he is joined by fellow pilgrims each with their own reasons for taking a few months out of their lives to backpack across Spain. There is the Dutchman Joost (Yorick van Wageningen) who is walking the trail to lose weight for his brother's wedding. Sarah (Deborah Kara Unger) is a chain smoking Canadian who vows to drop the habit once she reaches the cathedral and Jack (James Nesbitt) is an Irishman convinced the trail will finally crack his writer's block. Initially, Tom does not particularly want their company because he is suffering from some severe guilt and remorse about Daniel. This leads to the film's low point of a drunken rage against pilgrims and his walking mates. Fortunately, once this ridiculous and needless scene is over, the rest of The Way is a very enjoyable movie to watch.
The Way was shot with only available light, sunlight during the day and candles and fire at night which lends it a great deal of authenticity. Other than the main characters, everyone else on screen are actual pilgrims walking the trail to the cathedral. There is a scene later on with real Roma (Gypsies). Since the Camino de Santiago means a great deal to many people, especially those in northern Spain, you can really see how writer/director Emilio Estevez took his time to do this right.
It is refreshing to see Emilio pop his head up once again for some work. I last saw him when he directed 2006's Bobby and since then it appears he has only directed a couple episodes of Numb3rs. Perhaps he is always waiting for some real inspiration to use as his next project. He mentioned The Way came about from his father and his son's experience on the trail. I wonder if the character Jack is a model for Emilio since the first draft of this screenplay took six months to write. Furthermore, it is about time Martin Sheen showed up in a good movie again. Recently, he has had some bit parts in throw away movies such as Love Happens and Imagine That and hasn't truly had quality work since The Departed.
The Way won't win any awards; however, it is so positive and perhaps intentionally persuasive that I bet every person in the audience thought about how they could find a few months to take off and hike that distance. I had no idea that such a place as the Camino de Santiago existed before watching The Way which I suspect is a big reason why Emilio Estevez took the time to write and direct this film. He wants the rest of us to know about it as well.
In fact, four such folk are the main characters in The Way. Tom (Martin Sheen) is a native Californian eye doctor who spends as much time on the links as he does at the office. He receives an unexpected phone call from a French policeman informing him his son Daniel (Emilio Estevez) died in southern France in a major storm. Tom flies out to France to collect his body and learns about the pilgrimage Daniel was just starting out on.
Tom and Daniel did not have the best parting one would like to have the last time you are going to see your son. Tom thought Daniel was wasting his life on these silly adventures while Daniel responded with the platitude, "You don't choose your life, you experience it." In a moment of remorse and homage, Tom decides to walk the 500 miles for Daniel with his cremated remains spreading his ashes along the way.
Quickly, he is joined by fellow pilgrims each with their own reasons for taking a few months out of their lives to backpack across Spain. There is the Dutchman Joost (Yorick van Wageningen) who is walking the trail to lose weight for his brother's wedding. Sarah (Deborah Kara Unger) is a chain smoking Canadian who vows to drop the habit once she reaches the cathedral and Jack (James Nesbitt) is an Irishman convinced the trail will finally crack his writer's block. Initially, Tom does not particularly want their company because he is suffering from some severe guilt and remorse about Daniel. This leads to the film's low point of a drunken rage against pilgrims and his walking mates. Fortunately, once this ridiculous and needless scene is over, the rest of The Way is a very enjoyable movie to watch.
The Way was shot with only available light, sunlight during the day and candles and fire at night which lends it a great deal of authenticity. Other than the main characters, everyone else on screen are actual pilgrims walking the trail to the cathedral. There is a scene later on with real Roma (Gypsies). Since the Camino de Santiago means a great deal to many people, especially those in northern Spain, you can really see how writer/director Emilio Estevez took his time to do this right.
It is refreshing to see Emilio pop his head up once again for some work. I last saw him when he directed 2006's Bobby and since then it appears he has only directed a couple episodes of Numb3rs. Perhaps he is always waiting for some real inspiration to use as his next project. He mentioned The Way came about from his father and his son's experience on the trail. I wonder if the character Jack is a model for Emilio since the first draft of this screenplay took six months to write. Furthermore, it is about time Martin Sheen showed up in a good movie again. Recently, he has had some bit parts in throw away movies such as Love Happens and Imagine That and hasn't truly had quality work since The Departed.
The Way won't win any awards; however, it is so positive and perhaps intentionally persuasive that I bet every person in the audience thought about how they could find a few months to take off and hike that distance. I had no idea that such a place as the Camino de Santiago existed before watching The Way which I suspect is a big reason why Emilio Estevez took the time to write and direct this film. He wants the rest of us to know about it as well.
A sweet and sweetly made film about walking to change your life
secondtake4 May 2015
The Way (2010)
A charming movie that skirts around religious intentions and mixes in some good human tenderness and friendship. It's a feel-good movie for sure, following four hikers who meet by accident on the road to Santiago de Compostela, or the St. James Way. This is a pilgrimage road that many people have been rediscovering over the last thirty years (it's frankly threatened to become overrun with walkers). The distance varies depending on where you start, but can easily be 500 miles.
So people who undertake this for whatever reason do so seriously. It's not a lighthearted enterprise (and if you look online there are 10 reasons not to do it, reminding walkers that much of the trip is near roadways and a very modern Spain). But this movie romanticizes the heck out of it, and it makes it all a feel-good experience. There may be no particular revelations, human or spiritual, here, but it's fun to get to know the people as they open up to one another.
The main figure is Martin Sheen, who carries with him (on an impulse, as you'll see) the ashes of his son. Bereavement is written all over him, and he tries to find meaning in life beyond the golfing and ophthalmology left behind for this trip. This plot idea takes a twist because the director is Sheen's son, Emilio Estevez (who also appears briefly).
There is a little travelogue aspect here, and a little filler (like the whole section with the gypsies), but it's all pretty and easy to watch. And the best of it is sweet without being saccharine.
A charming movie that skirts around religious intentions and mixes in some good human tenderness and friendship. It's a feel-good movie for sure, following four hikers who meet by accident on the road to Santiago de Compostela, or the St. James Way. This is a pilgrimage road that many people have been rediscovering over the last thirty years (it's frankly threatened to become overrun with walkers). The distance varies depending on where you start, but can easily be 500 miles.
So people who undertake this for whatever reason do so seriously. It's not a lighthearted enterprise (and if you look online there are 10 reasons not to do it, reminding walkers that much of the trip is near roadways and a very modern Spain). But this movie romanticizes the heck out of it, and it makes it all a feel-good experience. There may be no particular revelations, human or spiritual, here, but it's fun to get to know the people as they open up to one another.
The main figure is Martin Sheen, who carries with him (on an impulse, as you'll see) the ashes of his son. Bereavement is written all over him, and he tries to find meaning in life beyond the golfing and ophthalmology left behind for this trip. This plot idea takes a twist because the director is Sheen's son, Emilio Estevez (who also appears briefly).
There is a little travelogue aspect here, and a little filler (like the whole section with the gypsies), but it's all pretty and easy to watch. And the best of it is sweet without being saccharine.
It's not "The Way", it's "Our Own Way"
msmoc19 May 2011
This is surely Emilio Estevez's Masterwork, in the same way as was Costner's "Dances with Wolves". It is "The Quiet Epic"! The movie didn't require; Noise, CGI, Foul Language or Special Effects - all that it needed and got were; Across the Board Top Class Acting Performances and Brilliant Cinematography.
Although, no longer a spring chicken, I spent over 2 hours completely engrossed in this film, alternating between tears and laughter. I found it was a movie made with such loving care that it encouraged, and enabled me, to share their experience and make my own life journey with them. My own emotions and life history became intermingled with theirs. I feel it was Emilio's intention for us all to take "Our Own Way".
My main sadness is that so many people will be unable to see it at cinemas, as it has only been given a single weeks run to facilitate the usual glut of "So called Blockbusters". Movies like The Way need time to breathe, as "Word of Mouth" is the key to expanding Audience figures and the wider appreciation such a work deserves..
Although, no longer a spring chicken, I spent over 2 hours completely engrossed in this film, alternating between tears and laughter. I found it was a movie made with such loving care that it encouraged, and enabled me, to share their experience and make my own life journey with them. My own emotions and life history became intermingled with theirs. I feel it was Emilio's intention for us all to take "Our Own Way".
My main sadness is that so many people will be unable to see it at cinemas, as it has only been given a single weeks run to facilitate the usual glut of "So called Blockbusters". Movies like The Way need time to breathe, as "Word of Mouth" is the key to expanding Audience figures and the wider appreciation such a work deserves..
nice personal journey movie
SnoopyStyle21 October 2015
Thomas Avery (Martin Sheen) is an American ophthalmologist. His nomadic only-child Daniel (Emilio Estevez) is killed walking the Catholic pilgrimage trail Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. In flashbacks, Thomas refuses to go with Daniel and berates him for his roaming nature. Thomas decides to carry Daniel's ashes and finish the trail for both him and himself. He encounters several hikers along the way.
There is no high drama here. There is a little bit of humor but overwhelmingly, this is a personal journey movie. It is touching and compelling. One call feel Martin Sheen truly invested in this movie. Emilio is the director. He puts in a few too many montages. Deborah Kara Unger is terrific. It's a nice movie overall.
There is no high drama here. There is a little bit of humor but overwhelmingly, this is a personal journey movie. It is touching and compelling. One call feel Martin Sheen truly invested in this movie. Emilio is the director. He puts in a few too many montages. Deborah Kara Unger is terrific. It's a nice movie overall.
great piece of cinema
wmconsidine15 May 2011
I have looked forward to "the way" since first hearing about it. I heard interviews with Martin Sheen himself and a great double interview with Martin and Emilio on Irish radio. I did a part of the camino in 2009 and It was a life changing/enhancing experience for me so I couldn't wait to see how the film would deal with it. Yesterday I saw the film in the Screen cinema in College Green Dublin. The film is, in my opinion, very true to the camino experience. A previous reviewer trivialised it as "a road movie" and suggested "wizard of Oz" characterisation. The camino "road" has been travelled for over a thousand years. Long before "road movies" were even thought about and yes, any story of fellow travellers sharing their stories on a journey, can be similar to the "wizard of Oz" but I think Chaucers "Canterbury Tales" is probably the true origin of the species. The camino de Santiago in its reality, and in this film, is a wonderful kaleidoscopic confluence of humanity. Pilgrims seem to self-select for certain character traits such as eccentricity, other worldliness, joyfullness, adventurousness, hurt, curiosity etc. Tom's companions were all from the palette of characters I found on the camino. Tom himself was an accidental pilgrim and only at the end of the camino did he allow himself to fall in love with it like the others. Tom, the cynical skeptic, driven to put one foot in front of another as a way of dealing with the brokenness of his relationship with his son and the trauma of his sudden death, allows the distance required to allow viewers share in the journey of the Camino in a way that could not have been achieved by following four "ordinary" pilgrims, no matter how colourful. Tom was the "straight man", the foil, that allowed the full colours of all the other characters to shine through. I thought it was a brilliant piece of cinema. Ole!
MediaLit Kit: The 7 Skills of Media Literacy
kemeneely20151 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The idea of completing the Camino de Santiago as a form of grieving over the death of his son, leads Tom to discover life lessons and characteristics that make way for a happier life. This is not the classic road trip movie that most people may conclude it as being. By the end of the movie you are left feeling inspired and wanted to do something that will change your life. The characters in this movie were, in my opinion, well casted. Each brought something to the new to the table throughout the storyline. While the movie is inspiring and enlightening, it is almost predictable at the same time. You know that in the end everything will end up being okay. Being predictable doesn't mean it's a bad movie, especially because the movie is so realistic.
A way of grouping characters for this movie would be grouping together the pilgrims and the non-pilgrims. Each pilgrim has more to their story than what they lead on to. The pilgrims the movie focuses on are Tom, Joost, Sarah, and Jack. Tom begins his pilgrimage almost as an accident. He had no intention of traveling hundreds of miles across Europe on foot. His adult son dies on his first night of attempting the trip, and Tom, coming to Europe to collect his son's remains, decides to take on the challenge of the Camino in honor of his late son. Joost is the first pilgrim Tom meets on his journey. Joost is traveling the Camino because he wants to lose weight and because he is meeting up with friends in a town near the end of the trip. Later in the movie we find out that he wants to lose weight because his wife will no longer sleep with him because she thinks he is too fat. Sarah leads us to believe that she is walking the Camino de Santiago because she wants the life changing experience and because she has vowed to, at the end, quit smoking cigarettes. Later we find out that she was married to a physically abusive man. She became pregnant, but had an abortion so that her husband would not be able to beat the child also. Jack is also a pilgrim by choice. He is a writer that is experiencing writer's block for his new novel. He came to the Camino in order to find inspiration for a new story. He asks every pilgrim he meets why they came to the Camino for creativity. He ends up finding this inspiration in Tom's story. The other grouping of people is non-pilgrims. These I consider to be the people that the pilgrims meet along their Camino that are not traveling. The people that live in the towns they pass through; such as the inn keepers, servers, or the gypsies. Each of the non-pilgrims has something to contribute to the story in their own way. The most influential non-pilgrims are the gypsies. Tom and the other pilgrims meet the gypsies by chance when a boy tries to steal Tom's backpack.
Tom doesn't come to Europe to become a pilgrim in the Camino de Santiago. He starts off the Camino in a state of grief and regret because the last conversation he had with his son wasn't a pleasant one. Each character came to the Camino for a different particular reason, but they all experience the same things along the way. The director, Emilio Estevez, (who was also the writer and the actor that played the character of Tom's son, Daniel) did a fantastic job of embracing the interactions that a pilgrim has along the Camino. Those interactions varied high and low, from people living in the towns they passed though, to the scenery of untouched nature along the horizon. Estevez not only made the Camino de Santiago look like a worthwhile trip, but caused a feeling that makes the audience want to go out and do something for themselves. He made the audience want to see the world and be inspired by both differences and similarities. Abuse is often seen in the form of a man abusing a woman. Emilio Estevez took this idea and included it in the story in more ways than one. There is the obvious abusive relationship that caused Sarah to walk the Camino. She was beaten by her husband, and aborted her unborn daughter so that he would not be able to beat her too. She came to the Camino to forgive herself maybe; Or maybe to allow herself to take back the control of her life and to stop living in fear. The other abusive relationship that is a little less obvious is the relationship between Joost and his wife. While Joost admits early on that one reason he is walking the Camino is because he wants to lose weight, near the end he mentions that his wife wont even sleep with him anymore because she thinks he is too fat. We don't often see or hear of a man being abused in this sort of way, but Estevez did a great job creating the character and the character's way of handling the situation. I have seen inspirational movies before, and each one brings something new to the table. The Way offered to me that you can turn something like grief into an inspirational adventure. While many movies start out with something sad or devastating and end on a happy-note, The Way had a slow progression back into a normal life.
Although grieving, Tom embarks on a journey that will without a doubt change his life and the way he views life forever.
A way of grouping characters for this movie would be grouping together the pilgrims and the non-pilgrims. Each pilgrim has more to their story than what they lead on to. The pilgrims the movie focuses on are Tom, Joost, Sarah, and Jack. Tom begins his pilgrimage almost as an accident. He had no intention of traveling hundreds of miles across Europe on foot. His adult son dies on his first night of attempting the trip, and Tom, coming to Europe to collect his son's remains, decides to take on the challenge of the Camino in honor of his late son. Joost is the first pilgrim Tom meets on his journey. Joost is traveling the Camino because he wants to lose weight and because he is meeting up with friends in a town near the end of the trip. Later in the movie we find out that he wants to lose weight because his wife will no longer sleep with him because she thinks he is too fat. Sarah leads us to believe that she is walking the Camino de Santiago because she wants the life changing experience and because she has vowed to, at the end, quit smoking cigarettes. Later we find out that she was married to a physically abusive man. She became pregnant, but had an abortion so that her husband would not be able to beat the child also. Jack is also a pilgrim by choice. He is a writer that is experiencing writer's block for his new novel. He came to the Camino in order to find inspiration for a new story. He asks every pilgrim he meets why they came to the Camino for creativity. He ends up finding this inspiration in Tom's story. The other grouping of people is non-pilgrims. These I consider to be the people that the pilgrims meet along their Camino that are not traveling. The people that live in the towns they pass through; such as the inn keepers, servers, or the gypsies. Each of the non-pilgrims has something to contribute to the story in their own way. The most influential non-pilgrims are the gypsies. Tom and the other pilgrims meet the gypsies by chance when a boy tries to steal Tom's backpack.
Tom doesn't come to Europe to become a pilgrim in the Camino de Santiago. He starts off the Camino in a state of grief and regret because the last conversation he had with his son wasn't a pleasant one. Each character came to the Camino for a different particular reason, but they all experience the same things along the way. The director, Emilio Estevez, (who was also the writer and the actor that played the character of Tom's son, Daniel) did a fantastic job of embracing the interactions that a pilgrim has along the Camino. Those interactions varied high and low, from people living in the towns they passed though, to the scenery of untouched nature along the horizon. Estevez not only made the Camino de Santiago look like a worthwhile trip, but caused a feeling that makes the audience want to go out and do something for themselves. He made the audience want to see the world and be inspired by both differences and similarities. Abuse is often seen in the form of a man abusing a woman. Emilio Estevez took this idea and included it in the story in more ways than one. There is the obvious abusive relationship that caused Sarah to walk the Camino. She was beaten by her husband, and aborted her unborn daughter so that he would not be able to beat her too. She came to the Camino to forgive herself maybe; Or maybe to allow herself to take back the control of her life and to stop living in fear. The other abusive relationship that is a little less obvious is the relationship between Joost and his wife. While Joost admits early on that one reason he is walking the Camino is because he wants to lose weight, near the end he mentions that his wife wont even sleep with him anymore because she thinks he is too fat. We don't often see or hear of a man being abused in this sort of way, but Estevez did a great job creating the character and the character's way of handling the situation. I have seen inspirational movies before, and each one brings something new to the table. The Way offered to me that you can turn something like grief into an inspirational adventure. While many movies start out with something sad or devastating and end on a happy-note, The Way had a slow progression back into a normal life.
Although grieving, Tom embarks on a journey that will without a doubt change his life and the way he views life forever.
Understated and therefore very moving
paulinewainwright3 May 2011
This movie exceeded all expectations, which were already very high. All kudos to Emilio Estevez for an excellent screenplay and superb direction. The photography, too, was wonderful. I think this will go down as one of Martin Sheen's best ever performances. He underplays his role (due to Emilio's direction?) which makes it all the stronger. In fact, it's the understated quality of the whole film that makes it very moving. It never descends into sentimentality but you still feel the grief of Martin Sheen's character as he makes the pilgrimage his estranged dead son never completed. At the same time, there are a lot of funny moments, which lift it from becoming a depressing journey. The gradual coalescing of the four very different main characters into a unified group works very well. Each of them has a different reason for making the pilgrimage and, to begin with, they seem to have nothing in common, but it's still very believable when they start to relate to each other. Emilio and his father Martin have every reason to be very proud of this film. It works on every level.
"Buen Camino"
shorttbetty25 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"Don't choose a life, live one." While death may seem like the end, it can be a new beginning for those who are affected by it. In Emilio Estevez's independent film The Way, it portrays the hope and lessons that can come from a loss. Daniel Avery, played by Emilio Estevez, sets out to walk the "El camino de Santiago". This was a spiritual path that went through Spain, ending in a cathedral that held the bones of Saint James. Dan set out on the journey and was killed a day into the trip by a violent storm. Dan's father Thomas Avery, played by Martin Sheen, sets across the sea to recover the body. He decides to finish the journey in honor of his son. Along the way he finds himself and meets some fellow pilgrims who have their own trials and tribulations to handle.
This film was moving and heart-felt. It had a relatable theme to anyone who viewed this and that was to not take a loved one for granted. One will never know a loss before it happens so love them like each day is their last. Thomas Avery lost touch with his son after the death of his wife and then it became too late for him to mend the relationship. The Way reminds us that each and every one of us have to choose a path at different times in our life. It may be challenging, but with the support of those who care it can be accomplished. The lighting used throughout the movie is raw, natural lighting. This gives the film a realistic feel, as if one could picture themselves taking this same path.
Not only did lighting make this film engaging, but the music did as well. Music was used to exemplify the mood of many major and minor scenes. Solemn, slow notes were played when Tom was going to view his son's body and as he reminisced on the few memories he had of him. Then, the music became very upbeat as Tom's spirits would be lifted along his journey.
Throughout the movie, Tom would see an image of his son Dan at various places. He might see him up on a hill or beside a tree on a path. Seeing the ghost of his son was a sign that Tom was beginning to miss him dearly. It was not only that but it was a sign that this journey was to bring Tom closer to Dan in the end.
In general, the pilgrimage depicted in The Way, was heavily focused on. It's beginning, meaning and history were told little by little throughout the film. This was done out of respect for those who held it sacred. It was meant to be inspiring and not just a miniscule detail to be overtaken by the broad picture of Dan's death.
Many movies have been centralized around travels and road trips, but not usually a trip taken by foot. The Way is unique in this way and draws greater attention because of its personal feel. Because the travelers are walking, it let's you build a stronger bond with the characters. This choice of transportation makes one realize that this is so much more than just any old road trip. Walking makes "El camino de Santiago" feel like a spiritual journey for the viewer as well.
The camera angles were exceptional throughout The Way. The shots that stood out to me the most were the ones of Tom climbing over hills and mountains. The symbolism just shined through each and every shot. It was symbolic because it was the path he son should have taken, but also because it showed him getting over one "mountain" or tragedy at a time. Tragedies such as the loss of both his wife and son and also carrying the burdens of his new found friends. He led the pack like a beacon of hope.
Overall, this movie evoked very strong emotions. It evoked regret for the times you took a loved one for granted, and sadness for the loss of a loved one taken too early. The Way gave hope that you can redeem yourself from past mistakes. These are just some of the emotions that can be felt from The Way because of its effective use of story telling, music placement and camera angles. It is a great movie that viewers can all grasp a meaningful concept from.
This film was moving and heart-felt. It had a relatable theme to anyone who viewed this and that was to not take a loved one for granted. One will never know a loss before it happens so love them like each day is their last. Thomas Avery lost touch with his son after the death of his wife and then it became too late for him to mend the relationship. The Way reminds us that each and every one of us have to choose a path at different times in our life. It may be challenging, but with the support of those who care it can be accomplished. The lighting used throughout the movie is raw, natural lighting. This gives the film a realistic feel, as if one could picture themselves taking this same path.
Not only did lighting make this film engaging, but the music did as well. Music was used to exemplify the mood of many major and minor scenes. Solemn, slow notes were played when Tom was going to view his son's body and as he reminisced on the few memories he had of him. Then, the music became very upbeat as Tom's spirits would be lifted along his journey.
Throughout the movie, Tom would see an image of his son Dan at various places. He might see him up on a hill or beside a tree on a path. Seeing the ghost of his son was a sign that Tom was beginning to miss him dearly. It was not only that but it was a sign that this journey was to bring Tom closer to Dan in the end.
In general, the pilgrimage depicted in The Way, was heavily focused on. It's beginning, meaning and history were told little by little throughout the film. This was done out of respect for those who held it sacred. It was meant to be inspiring and not just a miniscule detail to be overtaken by the broad picture of Dan's death.
Many movies have been centralized around travels and road trips, but not usually a trip taken by foot. The Way is unique in this way and draws greater attention because of its personal feel. Because the travelers are walking, it let's you build a stronger bond with the characters. This choice of transportation makes one realize that this is so much more than just any old road trip. Walking makes "El camino de Santiago" feel like a spiritual journey for the viewer as well.
The camera angles were exceptional throughout The Way. The shots that stood out to me the most were the ones of Tom climbing over hills and mountains. The symbolism just shined through each and every shot. It was symbolic because it was the path he son should have taken, but also because it showed him getting over one "mountain" or tragedy at a time. Tragedies such as the loss of both his wife and son and also carrying the burdens of his new found friends. He led the pack like a beacon of hope.
Overall, this movie evoked very strong emotions. It evoked regret for the times you took a loved one for granted, and sadness for the loss of a loved one taken too early. The Way gave hope that you can redeem yourself from past mistakes. These are just some of the emotions that can be felt from The Way because of its effective use of story telling, music placement and camera angles. It is a great movie that viewers can all grasp a meaningful concept from.
wonderful film
gareth-9114 May 2011
went to see this last night at 11.10pm, but cinema forgot to start the film, so it was 5 to midnight before we got going - with a little prompting.
It makes me want to do el camino. Very touching. I cried twice and laughed, and towards the end was sitting with a huge grin on my face. The warmth between the characters was good, honest, authentic.
It's also like having plans to do one thing, but you end up doing something quite different, that just grows. I could feel a loosening at the end of it, where feelings had shifted for people, there was a release for the characters that had happened in a very real way. Nothing grated, it was very gentle, but built up to a wave that carried me with it.
Scenery is beautiful of course. An interesting bit with the gypsies in Spain that I found challenging. It brought me up as I believed the same stuff they assumed - I'd heard it so much: and it is interesting when I realised that what I've accepted as truth may just be prejudice. We all like a scapegoat to absolve ourselves, and to feel superior to other folks.
Well done everyone involved with this. I think I will be buying a few copies of this to hand out.
It makes me want to go, but it kind of makes me want to go alone to see who I meet on the way.
It makes me want to do el camino. Very touching. I cried twice and laughed, and towards the end was sitting with a huge grin on my face. The warmth between the characters was good, honest, authentic.
It's also like having plans to do one thing, but you end up doing something quite different, that just grows. I could feel a loosening at the end of it, where feelings had shifted for people, there was a release for the characters that had happened in a very real way. Nothing grated, it was very gentle, but built up to a wave that carried me with it.
Scenery is beautiful of course. An interesting bit with the gypsies in Spain that I found challenging. It brought me up as I believed the same stuff they assumed - I'd heard it so much: and it is interesting when I realised that what I've accepted as truth may just be prejudice. We all like a scapegoat to absolve ourselves, and to feel superior to other folks.
Well done everyone involved with this. I think I will be buying a few copies of this to hand out.
It makes me want to go, but it kind of makes me want to go alone to see who I meet on the way.
I wanted to like this film much more than I turned out to...
kissan420 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Well, I had great expectations and really wanted to like this film. When it started, I was feeling like "yeah, that's it, go, dude, go!" But after a while the film starts losing it's composure and sinks in all ways. The characters are a bit too much, overacting at times, you can picture the director behind the camera saying "ok, once more, but this time push it even harder so even the dumbest viewer can get your character". The drama is almost too much, and the music...well, weird at times, there was a point when I really expected Lady Gaga's Telephone or sg like that. Most of them just doesn't fit, the film could have been much more powerful with a completely different set of songs and music.
To also tell a couple of positives: the scenery is great, the story (though not too complicated) is absolutely believable and the main character is really good, cool and authentic. I really liked the play of Martin Sheen and the way he treated situations and weird people.
The "truth-factor" of the film is also good, all they tell and show about El Camino is quite realistic. I wish they had gone a bit more towards the documentary side and left out a couple of dummy dialogs and part of the drama.
All in all, the film is not that bad, but takes an interesting curve. The first 15-20 minutes is very strong then it starts descending all the way to the middle and yes, with the gypsy fiesta it hits rock bottom. Yeah, I get the message, stereotyping is bad, poor gypsies have this untruthful bad reputation, while in reality they are honest, loving parents and make big parties...well, you come to Europe believing this and you will be robbed and stabbed in 20 seconds :) That part is science fiction, filmmakers should have put the "Don't try this at home" sign somewhere. Or like Bear Grylls..."we are professionals, the crew is here to help me out".
Anyway. After the middle the film gains momentum again and the last 15-20 minutes is again quite strong and honest. After all I think it deserves a 7, but could have been much better. I really expected that by the end of the film I would feel the urge to go home and pack my backpack. Nope.
To also tell a couple of positives: the scenery is great, the story (though not too complicated) is absolutely believable and the main character is really good, cool and authentic. I really liked the play of Martin Sheen and the way he treated situations and weird people.
The "truth-factor" of the film is also good, all they tell and show about El Camino is quite realistic. I wish they had gone a bit more towards the documentary side and left out a couple of dummy dialogs and part of the drama.
All in all, the film is not that bad, but takes an interesting curve. The first 15-20 minutes is very strong then it starts descending all the way to the middle and yes, with the gypsy fiesta it hits rock bottom. Yeah, I get the message, stereotyping is bad, poor gypsies have this untruthful bad reputation, while in reality they are honest, loving parents and make big parties...well, you come to Europe believing this and you will be robbed and stabbed in 20 seconds :) That part is science fiction, filmmakers should have put the "Don't try this at home" sign somewhere. Or like Bear Grylls..."we are professionals, the crew is here to help me out".
Anyway. After the middle the film gains momentum again and the last 15-20 minutes is again quite strong and honest. After all I think it deserves a 7, but could have been much better. I really expected that by the end of the film I would feel the urge to go home and pack my backpack. Nope.
An American, A Dutchman and an Irishman walk into a bar...
I_actually_am_sam23 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
An American, A dutchman and an Irishman walk into a bar...It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke but it's the middle of a mediocre movie that could have (should have!) been great.
Frankly I'm a little baffled by the glowing reviews and the "best movie ever" superlatives from some of the other users here. In the end this is an overlong, highly unoriginal movie with clumsy dialogue and clichéd characters.
The story of Martin Sheen walking the camino to complete his dead son's journey had all the potential to be great. Instead it stayed so far within its comfort zone it was a real bore.
A special mention goes to the clichéd characters: a dutchman who does drugs and parties (no way!) but has decided to walk the 800km to "lose weight" for a wedding. I'm sorry? There are far more effective ways to lose some weight; an Irish writer with writer's block whose every utterance made me cringe - particularly his opening monologue about writers. And a Canadian woman, who is angry at....what exactly? Throw in some clichéd, unbelievably friendly locals who react to our four pilgrims arrival in the various towns as if they're the first they've seen in months in spite of the fact that literally hundreds of people are doing this trek everyday. A particular shout-out goes to the Spanish gypsy in this respect.
I was also kind of surprised that Estevez's character, Daniel, is still yelled at by his Dad for not doing anything with his life even though he's nearly 40. Time to get over it I think.
I have some friends who did the last part of the Camino de Santiago and they said that you had to get to each town early to be sure of a bed that night - not like our 4 intrepid trekkers who can rock up whenever they want and have a choice of hostels! Also, they had sores and blisters on their feet after 2 days and they would be fairly fit guys. Sheen on the other hand, despite not being fit enough to walk around a golf course, hardly has to stop for a breath.
But OK, there is some poetic licence involved in movie-making.
The positives: The scenery is beautiful; Sheen is in standard Sheen mode, uptight and dignified; and there are a few genuinely funny and moving moments.
But every time something happens that makes you think "maybe this movie is alright" something happens that is completely unrealistic and condescending. The final scene was the nail in the coffin, so to speak, with all characters giving an only-in-the-movies one line sign off before leaving individually.
A real disappointment.
Frankly I'm a little baffled by the glowing reviews and the "best movie ever" superlatives from some of the other users here. In the end this is an overlong, highly unoriginal movie with clumsy dialogue and clichéd characters.
The story of Martin Sheen walking the camino to complete his dead son's journey had all the potential to be great. Instead it stayed so far within its comfort zone it was a real bore.
A special mention goes to the clichéd characters: a dutchman who does drugs and parties (no way!) but has decided to walk the 800km to "lose weight" for a wedding. I'm sorry? There are far more effective ways to lose some weight; an Irish writer with writer's block whose every utterance made me cringe - particularly his opening monologue about writers. And a Canadian woman, who is angry at....what exactly? Throw in some clichéd, unbelievably friendly locals who react to our four pilgrims arrival in the various towns as if they're the first they've seen in months in spite of the fact that literally hundreds of people are doing this trek everyday. A particular shout-out goes to the Spanish gypsy in this respect.
I was also kind of surprised that Estevez's character, Daniel, is still yelled at by his Dad for not doing anything with his life even though he's nearly 40. Time to get over it I think.
I have some friends who did the last part of the Camino de Santiago and they said that you had to get to each town early to be sure of a bed that night - not like our 4 intrepid trekkers who can rock up whenever they want and have a choice of hostels! Also, they had sores and blisters on their feet after 2 days and they would be fairly fit guys. Sheen on the other hand, despite not being fit enough to walk around a golf course, hardly has to stop for a breath.
But OK, there is some poetic licence involved in movie-making.
The positives: The scenery is beautiful; Sheen is in standard Sheen mode, uptight and dignified; and there are a few genuinely funny and moving moments.
But every time something happens that makes you think "maybe this movie is alright" something happens that is completely unrealistic and condescending. The final scene was the nail in the coffin, so to speak, with all characters giving an only-in-the-movies one line sign off before leaving individually.
A real disappointment.
Simple but engaging road movie
DanielKing21 February 2011
Like most road movies, this is as much about the characters' inward journey as it is about getting from A to B. At times it is too sentimental for my taste and some of the encounters seem rather artificial. But it has considerable warmth, humanity and good humour.
I saw this at the BFI in London at a screening attended by Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen. They are very proud of their film and it obviously means a lot to them, as father and son. They came across as intelligent and socially aware people, which was great to see.
During the discussion, a member of the audience pointed out the parallels with "The Wizard of Oz", something which I confess escaped me while the film was on but seemed perfectly obvious when I heard it. So watch out for that if you see the movie, and also look out for a cameo by Matt Clark, veteran character actor and, apparently, good friend of MArtin Sheen.
I saw this at the BFI in London at a screening attended by Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen. They are very proud of their film and it obviously means a lot to them, as father and son. They came across as intelligent and socially aware people, which was great to see.
During the discussion, a member of the audience pointed out the parallels with "The Wizard of Oz", something which I confess escaped me while the film was on but seemed perfectly obvious when I heard it. So watch out for that if you see the movie, and also look out for a cameo by Matt Clark, veteran character actor and, apparently, good friend of MArtin Sheen.
a critique of the film
akhart-491-1467392 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
In The Way Martin Sheen plays an ophthalmologist named Tom Avery who is stuck in a rut, disapproving of his son, working his job and living his life hoping to hear from his son whenever possible due to his lack of a cell phone. The last time he sees his son is on the way to the airport in which there is a lecture about his disapproval of the life style that his son leads. Not finishing his studies in pursuit in the experience of culture and social interaction. His son dyes during the Camino de Santiago in a storm, doing what he loved most traveling and experiencing culture. Tom travels to France to pick up the belongings of his son and identify his body. I believe that a turning point in the movie is when he is in his hotel room after identifying his son and collecting his belongings and he is going through his sons belongings and remembering all the things about his son loved, the conversations they had, the things that caused tension between them, and the last words they had with each other. After this Tom embarks on the Camino de Santiago in the memory of his son and to experience his son one last time through what he died doing. The physical object with the most meaning is the box Tom brings with his sons ashes in it, spreading them as he feels called to in order to make his son a part of something he loved so dearly. I think that this process and the story being about Tom makes him an obvious main character, but I would like to mention that the people who share Tom Avery's pilgrim experience are changed forever through his experience having the privilege of traveling with someone who has a different interpretation of what they are doing by traveling this distance. The sound that caught my attention was that of the thunder storm and loud noises which erupt during the moment which Toms drunk honest anger about all of the people who he is traveling with getting himself arrested and his "friends" come through and see that he is cared for and bailed out. They all continue on together to complete the Camino de Santiago to have many other experiences.
I believe the unsaid things about these characters in this movie say the most about them, such as the way they act when it comes to their turn or opportunity to share about their reason you can tell how seriously they are taking the trip and how important their goal is. Tom mourning the death of his son, whose spirit was that of an explorer. Sara, who hates herself for things in her past, won't admit to herself the real reason why she is on the Camino but, insists that it is to quit smoking. Joost the Dutchman a loving individual makes this journey for the experience, exercise and to find what makes him happy and how to be a better husband and father. Jack the writer is simply seeking inspiration for his writing for travel magazine and finds one of if not the most inspiring story he has heard from any pilgrim on entire trip. At the end of the trip they are all asked why they have done this and none of them are able to admit why they completed this trip. All of the things that go unsaid say just as much about the characters as what they say about themselves.
The element of grouping which I wish to identify is the appearance of his sons image participating in the activities Tom engages on throughout the pilgrimage. Tom engages in meals with locals, which Daniel would have loved, sleeping in churches and hostels and simply admiring the beauty of the countryside in which he is traveling. At the end of this Journey at the church they have a very emotional personal experience and Tom prays with his sons ashes in the church at the altar as Daniel would have wanted. Ultimately this causes Tom to have a better more enriched outlook on life and to cherish the gifts his son brought into his life and to continue his love for culture and traveling by making another trip abroad to experience other things and remember his son.
The inference that I was able to make about something from this movie is that everyone is looking for some sort of answers and they will go to great lengths to reach them but these lengths are only important if you are not lying to yourself about what you feel is wrong and you are open to what you might find.
From this movie I can deduce that all films about grieving loss cause the person most affected by this loss will experience a struggle in which there is anger sorrow and many conflicted emotions involved which lead to their peace that is made with the loss of their loved one. The way is a film about the experience of a person grieving loss therefore the main character, Tom, will experience many conflicting feelings causing him to make peace with his son's death.
I learned that there are many things that can happen to those who hike across nations and that those who seek these experiences must be ready to handle these things and or fight for their life against nature to accomplish their goals. I never realized until watching this movie that people still die due to weather conditions and that some people are accepting of this and receive peace in this acceptance.
The Way is a film about loss, showing a fathers desperate attempt to get closer to his late son through a cultural experience he would not normally have chosen for himself, and he finds peace along with a way to connect with his son in future excursions.
I believe the unsaid things about these characters in this movie say the most about them, such as the way they act when it comes to their turn or opportunity to share about their reason you can tell how seriously they are taking the trip and how important their goal is. Tom mourning the death of his son, whose spirit was that of an explorer. Sara, who hates herself for things in her past, won't admit to herself the real reason why she is on the Camino but, insists that it is to quit smoking. Joost the Dutchman a loving individual makes this journey for the experience, exercise and to find what makes him happy and how to be a better husband and father. Jack the writer is simply seeking inspiration for his writing for travel magazine and finds one of if not the most inspiring story he has heard from any pilgrim on entire trip. At the end of the trip they are all asked why they have done this and none of them are able to admit why they completed this trip. All of the things that go unsaid say just as much about the characters as what they say about themselves.
The element of grouping which I wish to identify is the appearance of his sons image participating in the activities Tom engages on throughout the pilgrimage. Tom engages in meals with locals, which Daniel would have loved, sleeping in churches and hostels and simply admiring the beauty of the countryside in which he is traveling. At the end of this Journey at the church they have a very emotional personal experience and Tom prays with his sons ashes in the church at the altar as Daniel would have wanted. Ultimately this causes Tom to have a better more enriched outlook on life and to cherish the gifts his son brought into his life and to continue his love for culture and traveling by making another trip abroad to experience other things and remember his son.
The inference that I was able to make about something from this movie is that everyone is looking for some sort of answers and they will go to great lengths to reach them but these lengths are only important if you are not lying to yourself about what you feel is wrong and you are open to what you might find.
From this movie I can deduce that all films about grieving loss cause the person most affected by this loss will experience a struggle in which there is anger sorrow and many conflicted emotions involved which lead to their peace that is made with the loss of their loved one. The way is a film about the experience of a person grieving loss therefore the main character, Tom, will experience many conflicting feelings causing him to make peace with his son's death.
I learned that there are many things that can happen to those who hike across nations and that those who seek these experiences must be ready to handle these things and or fight for their life against nature to accomplish their goals. I never realized until watching this movie that people still die due to weather conditions and that some people are accepting of this and receive peace in this acceptance.
The Way is a film about loss, showing a fathers desperate attempt to get closer to his late son through a cultural experience he would not normally have chosen for himself, and he finds peace along with a way to connect with his son in future excursions.
My 393rd Review: Treads Lightly But Very Nicely...
intelearts27 March 2011
This beautiful simple and involving film is one of the better films I've seen in the past couple of years. It does what the best of cinema can - it moves us, and reminds us that life is a journey full of chance encounters and that its not all serendipity, but we can walk on too.
Matin Sheen and his son, Emilio Estevez, make a winning team here - the direction, though straightforward is, like Ron Howard, filled with memorable scenes and images that linger. Sheen himself is always good at taking us with him - his half-amused, half-bemused style suits this perfectly. As he travels on the old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela to deal with tragic loss he meets and forms a group with three other pilgrims.
All in all, the overall experience of watching this is simply pleasure - and like Danny Boyle's films, it seems simple but it is a complete experience. The Way is human, emotive, emotional, and sincere, and for this viewer a good journey.
Matin Sheen and his son, Emilio Estevez, make a winning team here - the direction, though straightforward is, like Ron Howard, filled with memorable scenes and images that linger. Sheen himself is always good at taking us with him - his half-amused, half-bemused style suits this perfectly. As he travels on the old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela to deal with tragic loss he meets and forms a group with three other pilgrims.
All in all, the overall experience of watching this is simply pleasure - and like Danny Boyle's films, it seems simple but it is a complete experience. The Way is human, emotive, emotional, and sincere, and for this viewer a good journey.
Worth Watching but Missing Something
dansview25 January 2015
It was slow, but I stuck with it because the bottom line is that I enjoyed it. Having said that, it was missing something that left me frustrated and wanting.
I need to know a little more about the characters in order to care about them or at least understand them better. Who was the son? One reviewer mentioned that he was nearly 40, but in real life he would be more like 50. Did he have a family? If he was a doctoral student, where did he get the money to go traveling? Clearly Sheen was living an honorable and productive life, yet there was no sign that his son respected that at all, based upon the one conversation they had. Are we supposed to think that the son's life choices were the cool ones and the dad was an uptight loser? Or just that the dad needed to accept his son for who he was? It would have helped to have Sheen make one definitive statement about this one way or the other at the end perhaps. Something like, "I'm proud of the life I have chosen, but I do recognize that Daniel was driven by different passions. I only wish he could have combined them with a steady job and a family." Who were these other people? I'm o.k. with the stereotypes, because often people do fit the norms of the place they come from. But I need a little more information about each one. This could have come in the form of one more substantial exchange of their back story from each one, or even some scenario that demonstrated what they were about.
You have to tell me how the son died on the route. I didn't see any dangerous cliffs or wild animals. How could one night of cold weather have killed him? It was just too weird without an explanation.
It might have been interesting to have one fellow pilgrim be a young person. These were all middle aged people and one old guy. A young person may have added a fresh sense of wonder and reminded the others of that part of themselves from their own youth.
As one other reviewer said, I don't believe that a chain smoker, a fat guy, and an old man could do this walk without any training first. I also didn't see any evidence of blisters or soreness. But it's just a movie, so I'm o.k. with it.
The guitar music was sometimes a bit too much and a tad manipulative. I did feel like some of the scenes were bonking you over the head with sentimentalism, and that's partially because of the music.
But the dialog was good, the down-to-earth performances valuable, and the scenery enjoyable. I agree with another reviewer that Estevez does not really present any unique cinematography in terms of the nature or people, but some scenes were done quite well. Particularly the punch, and the theft.
Ultimately it doesn't matter if St. James or Christianity are the actual "Way." It only matters that pilgrims feel that they are. Although most of our characters are secular, they may have residual spirituality left over from childhood, and everyone needs hope.
It may be that Sheen and the woman changed the most from start to finish. The woman was a little less angry, and Sheen was a little less rigid in his evaluation of life and people.
I need to know a little more about the characters in order to care about them or at least understand them better. Who was the son? One reviewer mentioned that he was nearly 40, but in real life he would be more like 50. Did he have a family? If he was a doctoral student, where did he get the money to go traveling? Clearly Sheen was living an honorable and productive life, yet there was no sign that his son respected that at all, based upon the one conversation they had. Are we supposed to think that the son's life choices were the cool ones and the dad was an uptight loser? Or just that the dad needed to accept his son for who he was? It would have helped to have Sheen make one definitive statement about this one way or the other at the end perhaps. Something like, "I'm proud of the life I have chosen, but I do recognize that Daniel was driven by different passions. I only wish he could have combined them with a steady job and a family." Who were these other people? I'm o.k. with the stereotypes, because often people do fit the norms of the place they come from. But I need a little more information about each one. This could have come in the form of one more substantial exchange of their back story from each one, or even some scenario that demonstrated what they were about.
You have to tell me how the son died on the route. I didn't see any dangerous cliffs or wild animals. How could one night of cold weather have killed him? It was just too weird without an explanation.
It might have been interesting to have one fellow pilgrim be a young person. These were all middle aged people and one old guy. A young person may have added a fresh sense of wonder and reminded the others of that part of themselves from their own youth.
As one other reviewer said, I don't believe that a chain smoker, a fat guy, and an old man could do this walk without any training first. I also didn't see any evidence of blisters or soreness. But it's just a movie, so I'm o.k. with it.
The guitar music was sometimes a bit too much and a tad manipulative. I did feel like some of the scenes were bonking you over the head with sentimentalism, and that's partially because of the music.
But the dialog was good, the down-to-earth performances valuable, and the scenery enjoyable. I agree with another reviewer that Estevez does not really present any unique cinematography in terms of the nature or people, but some scenes were done quite well. Particularly the punch, and the theft.
Ultimately it doesn't matter if St. James or Christianity are the actual "Way." It only matters that pilgrims feel that they are. Although most of our characters are secular, they may have residual spirituality left over from childhood, and everyone needs hope.
It may be that Sheen and the woman changed the most from start to finish. The woman was a little less angry, and Sheen was a little less rigid in his evaluation of life and people.
Refuses to get lost on a road so big
StevePulaski11 October 2011
I've been anticipating The Way for about two and a half years for the wrong reason - I wanted to see Emilio Estevez back on the screen. The last formal film he appeared in was Rated X with his brother Charlie Sheen in 2000. Finally we see Emilio's talents not only behind the camera, but in writing as well. He handles the screenplay, the directing, and the producing in this beautifully crafted film.
You can tell just from the close-to-home feel of the character The Way is something sentimental and meaningful to both Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Both real life father and son actors have been taking most of their time in 2011 and using it to promote a film with heart and soul, but will likely be ignored when in theaters because of its very limited release and its minimal marketing.
The story focuses on Tom (Sheen), an American doctor, who goes to France after hearing his adventure-seeking son Daniel (Estevez) has died in a storm while hiking the Camino de Santiago - a famed Christian route many walk on to find faith or go to Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at the end of the five-hundred mile route.
After arriving in France to pick up Daniel's ashes, Tom makes a split-second decision that he will follow hike the path of his son, while spreading his ashes throughout the trail. He meets up with many different people with many different stories. They are Joost (Wageningen), a Dutchman who is hiking the trail for exercise purposes, Sarah (Unger) who is trying to quit smoking, and "Jack from Ireland" (Nesbitt) who is suffering from writer's block and is trying to collect information about fellow hikers and their separate journeys.
The Way has a number of strange qualities - for one it has noticeable parallels to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. And two, it is odd for Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, two actors that practice in strict Catholicism, to focus on a film that leads to a Christian Cathedral. Whatever the reason behind it, the story is pitch-perfect and Martin Sheen may have just given one of the best performances of his career.
The tears come and go in The Way, but so do the shocker scenes like when the topic of abortion is briefly mentioned. It is rare for such a film to bring up a controversial topic, which is why The Way deserves a load of credit.
The plot isn't too deep, but the story is truly moving. The acting by the four characters is fantastic, and like any road movie, it is more about the characters getting to find their inner-selves rather than walking from point a to point b. Only here - it is more welcomed because of the fact that is what the Camino de Santiago is all about.
Starring: Martin Sheen, Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt, Yorick van Wageningen, and Emilio Estevez. Directed by: Emilio Estevez.
You can tell just from the close-to-home feel of the character The Way is something sentimental and meaningful to both Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Both real life father and son actors have been taking most of their time in 2011 and using it to promote a film with heart and soul, but will likely be ignored when in theaters because of its very limited release and its minimal marketing.
The story focuses on Tom (Sheen), an American doctor, who goes to France after hearing his adventure-seeking son Daniel (Estevez) has died in a storm while hiking the Camino de Santiago - a famed Christian route many walk on to find faith or go to Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at the end of the five-hundred mile route.
After arriving in France to pick up Daniel's ashes, Tom makes a split-second decision that he will follow hike the path of his son, while spreading his ashes throughout the trail. He meets up with many different people with many different stories. They are Joost (Wageningen), a Dutchman who is hiking the trail for exercise purposes, Sarah (Unger) who is trying to quit smoking, and "Jack from Ireland" (Nesbitt) who is suffering from writer's block and is trying to collect information about fellow hikers and their separate journeys.
The Way has a number of strange qualities - for one it has noticeable parallels to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. And two, it is odd for Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, two actors that practice in strict Catholicism, to focus on a film that leads to a Christian Cathedral. Whatever the reason behind it, the story is pitch-perfect and Martin Sheen may have just given one of the best performances of his career.
The tears come and go in The Way, but so do the shocker scenes like when the topic of abortion is briefly mentioned. It is rare for such a film to bring up a controversial topic, which is why The Way deserves a load of credit.
The plot isn't too deep, but the story is truly moving. The acting by the four characters is fantastic, and like any road movie, it is more about the characters getting to find their inner-selves rather than walking from point a to point b. Only here - it is more welcomed because of the fact that is what the Camino de Santiago is all about.
Starring: Martin Sheen, Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt, Yorick van Wageningen, and Emilio Estevez. Directed by: Emilio Estevez.
OK, but disappointing
grantss14 April 2020
OK, but disappointing. Set up to be a profound and emotional movie, but it is actually quite empty. Pretty much heaps of style and a bit of substance. Amazing scenery and soundtrack through, and this is what drives the feeling that the movie is more than it really is. Quite manipulative.
Decent performances all round, especially from Martin Sheen in the lead role.
Decent performances all round, especially from Martin Sheen in the lead role.
Camino de Stantiago - very very inspirational!
jpcdee23 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I was lent this film a few years back, and I was reluctant to watch it, with its strong religious tones. Don't get me wrong I'm not Anti-religious, just a lapsed Catholic. I lost my mother a few years prior to watching this, so while Tom was walking The Way for his son, in my head, I was watching this for my mum, if that makes sense. I've been a fan of Emilio's and Martin's for a very long time, though I think this was the first time I'd seen them in the same film together.
The film takes you on a journey, and boy, do you feel like you've been on one by the end of film. And, by the end of the this film, I was left thinking, that for my 40th or 50th Birthday, I'm certainly thinking of doing this pilgrimage myself.
I had been wanting to see the film since that first time, and gratefully, BBC Two premiered the film just the other day, and watching it again, I still find myself inspired to do this. Lets hope when I turn 40, or 50, I still want to do this!
The film takes you on a journey, and boy, do you feel like you've been on one by the end of film. And, by the end of the this film, I was left thinking, that for my 40th or 50th Birthday, I'm certainly thinking of doing this pilgrimage myself.
I had been wanting to see the film since that first time, and gratefully, BBC Two premiered the film just the other day, and watching it again, I still find myself inspired to do this. Lets hope when I turn 40, or 50, I still want to do this!
Nice story but a bit of a drag at two hours
adamonIMDb21 May 2018
'The Way' has plenty of appeal and the story behind it is a moving one, but it does feel like a missed opportunity. While anybody who enjoys road trip style films will probably get some pleasure out of 'The Way', it's only engaging for so long and unfortunately doesn't have the depth of plot required for a 2 hour long film.
It's around the halfway point when the film really starts to run low on ideas. It becomes repetitive and dull, and in its desperation it resorts to some very unconvincing and poorly written situations. Most notably, the scene where the characters get drunk and start trading insults, which felt totally unnatural and didn't match the atmosphere of the film.
It's around the halfway point when the film really starts to run low on ideas. It becomes repetitive and dull, and in its desperation it resorts to some very unconvincing and poorly written situations. Most notably, the scene where the characters get drunk and start trading insults, which felt totally unnatural and didn't match the atmosphere of the film.
Emilio Estevez's most intimate and emotional film!
Hellmant6 March 2012
'THE WAY': Four Stars (Out of Five)
Emilio Estevez wrote and directed this drama starring his father Martin Sheen. Sheen plays an American doctor who decides to walk the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage in France that his son died on during a storm. Emilio plays his father's sons in flashbacks and ghostly visions. Emilio got inspiration for the film when his own son, Taylor, and father drove the length of the pilgrimage together in 2003. Taylor met his wife on the trip so it became a very special experience for him as well as his family. Sheen and Estevez decided to make a movie about the Camino because of this and Estevez wrote the film with his father in mind for the lead role. The movie is everything it sets out to be: moving, inspirational and touching.
Martin plays Thomas Avery who journeys to France to collect his son's remains shortly after learning of his death. He is told that Daniel, his son, died in the Pyrenees during a storm while attempting to complete the Catholic pilgrimage also known as the Way of St. James. Tom then decides to attempt the walk himself and sets out on a quest while carrying his son's remains and dispersing of them along the way. He meets a trio of other travelers (Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt and Yorick van Wageningen) along the way who are each doing the journey for their own individual reasons. He also continues to see visions of his son at select points along the path.
As a kid Emilio Estevez was one of my favorite actors for several years. I was a big fan of the 'YOUNG GUNS' films, 'STAKEOUT', 'REPO MAN', 'THE BREAKFAST CLUB' and many more. He hasn't appeared in many big roles in movies for several years now, deciding to settle more for cameos and concentrating more on writing and directing, which he's always been the strongest in his family. He's written and directed a wide variety of different genre films from action, like 1987's 'WISDOM' (in which he co-starred with Demi Moore), to slapstick comedy, like 1990's 'MEN AT WORK' (in which he co-starred with his brother Charlie) to historical fiction drama, like 2006's 'BOBBY' (in which he took part in an ensemble cast including the likes of Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Shia LeBeouf and Anthony Hopkins). I've enjoyed all of his directing and writing efforts to varying degrees but I'd have to say this is by far his most intimate and emotional. If you're a fan of Esteves or Sheen you're sure to enjoy but even if you're not you still might want to give this one a try: It's a very beautiful and touching film.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rje99p8QSz8
Emilio Estevez wrote and directed this drama starring his father Martin Sheen. Sheen plays an American doctor who decides to walk the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage in France that his son died on during a storm. Emilio plays his father's sons in flashbacks and ghostly visions. Emilio got inspiration for the film when his own son, Taylor, and father drove the length of the pilgrimage together in 2003. Taylor met his wife on the trip so it became a very special experience for him as well as his family. Sheen and Estevez decided to make a movie about the Camino because of this and Estevez wrote the film with his father in mind for the lead role. The movie is everything it sets out to be: moving, inspirational and touching.
Martin plays Thomas Avery who journeys to France to collect his son's remains shortly after learning of his death. He is told that Daniel, his son, died in the Pyrenees during a storm while attempting to complete the Catholic pilgrimage also known as the Way of St. James. Tom then decides to attempt the walk himself and sets out on a quest while carrying his son's remains and dispersing of them along the way. He meets a trio of other travelers (Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt and Yorick van Wageningen) along the way who are each doing the journey for their own individual reasons. He also continues to see visions of his son at select points along the path.
As a kid Emilio Estevez was one of my favorite actors for several years. I was a big fan of the 'YOUNG GUNS' films, 'STAKEOUT', 'REPO MAN', 'THE BREAKFAST CLUB' and many more. He hasn't appeared in many big roles in movies for several years now, deciding to settle more for cameos and concentrating more on writing and directing, which he's always been the strongest in his family. He's written and directed a wide variety of different genre films from action, like 1987's 'WISDOM' (in which he co-starred with Demi Moore), to slapstick comedy, like 1990's 'MEN AT WORK' (in which he co-starred with his brother Charlie) to historical fiction drama, like 2006's 'BOBBY' (in which he took part in an ensemble cast including the likes of Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Shia LeBeouf and Anthony Hopkins). I've enjoyed all of his directing and writing efforts to varying degrees but I'd have to say this is by far his most intimate and emotional. If you're a fan of Esteves or Sheen you're sure to enjoy but even if you're not you still might want to give this one a try: It's a very beautiful and touching film.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rje99p8QSz8
Moving and thoughtful film
jb_campo4 September 2015
The Way is a film about a younger man who wants to go his own way while his rich father encourages him to lead a more predictable path. For similar films, see 3 Idiots, a Bollywood gem.
Emilio Estevez chooses to trek across southern France to Spain on the Camino to Santiago, an 800 km hike. Bad news happens quickly, and you soon find his father, Martin Sheen, in France taking care of family business. The part that is somewhat difficult to believe is that Sheen can go from a pretty sedentary life, to suddenly hiking 800 kms without a hitch.
But it is the journey that counts, and he meets 3 interesting characters who accompany him on El Camino, The Way. It is these interactions with Joost from Holland, Jack from Ireland, and Sarah from Canada that the director Estevez weaves meaning in and out of the story. You learn about the characters, why they are doing this, what drives them, and you slowly see Martin Sheen change before your eyes as the experiences of being on the road open his eyes to more than he normally sees in his offices in California.
The Way will make you cry, and laugh, and feel good about the friends you make, and have already made. It is one of those films, like It's a Wonderful Life, where you have to play with the hand you are dealt and learn to appreciate the good things and possibilities that away you on your own journey.
My only critique is that the movie did run a big long at just over 2 hours. It could have easily been trimmed down 15 minutes without any loss of quality.
You will really like the Way. Enjoy.
Emilio Estevez chooses to trek across southern France to Spain on the Camino to Santiago, an 800 km hike. Bad news happens quickly, and you soon find his father, Martin Sheen, in France taking care of family business. The part that is somewhat difficult to believe is that Sheen can go from a pretty sedentary life, to suddenly hiking 800 kms without a hitch.
But it is the journey that counts, and he meets 3 interesting characters who accompany him on El Camino, The Way. It is these interactions with Joost from Holland, Jack from Ireland, and Sarah from Canada that the director Estevez weaves meaning in and out of the story. You learn about the characters, why they are doing this, what drives them, and you slowly see Martin Sheen change before your eyes as the experiences of being on the road open his eyes to more than he normally sees in his offices in California.
The Way will make you cry, and laugh, and feel good about the friends you make, and have already made. It is one of those films, like It's a Wonderful Life, where you have to play with the hand you are dealt and learn to appreciate the good things and possibilities that away you on your own journey.
My only critique is that the movie did run a big long at just over 2 hours. It could have easily been trimmed down 15 minutes without any loss of quality.
You will really like the Way. Enjoy.
Touching plot which ultimately fails to deliver
darrenrgregory8 April 2012
A great deal of love and thought has been put into this film by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, i remember watching an interview with them both and they seemed very proud of finally bringing it together.
Unfortunately it managed to irritate me.
The film is so full of cliché and over sentimentality that it detracts from what could have been a wonderful film. I guess part of the aim, which comes into play through various scenes was to make these characters seem rude, annoying or in some cases untrustworthy only for perception to change as the film progresses and as they get to know each other. This idea also comes into play briefly with the gyspy scene to which the outcome is an unexpected one and at other times.
The problem i have is that in reality Sheens character would have stayed well away from everyone involved.
The characters themselves are deeply unoriginal. The weed smoking Dutchman, brash Irish writer etc, it's too much. It felt so staged that i couldn't endear myself to anyone. The addition of music timed to the clock throughout the film was to me a poorly chosen and cheesy soundtrack. I won't delve into specifics on certain scenes but just a quick mention of the final scene as they peel off one by one, watch and cringe.
Some positives, the scenery is fantastic and it does have it's touching moments. Sheen is dependable.
I'm afraid i didn't enjoy this film, i felt it could have been so much more and at 2 hours long it's, far too long.
Not for me
Unfortunately it managed to irritate me.
The film is so full of cliché and over sentimentality that it detracts from what could have been a wonderful film. I guess part of the aim, which comes into play through various scenes was to make these characters seem rude, annoying or in some cases untrustworthy only for perception to change as the film progresses and as they get to know each other. This idea also comes into play briefly with the gyspy scene to which the outcome is an unexpected one and at other times.
The problem i have is that in reality Sheens character would have stayed well away from everyone involved.
The characters themselves are deeply unoriginal. The weed smoking Dutchman, brash Irish writer etc, it's too much. It felt so staged that i couldn't endear myself to anyone. The addition of music timed to the clock throughout the film was to me a poorly chosen and cheesy soundtrack. I won't delve into specifics on certain scenes but just a quick mention of the final scene as they peel off one by one, watch and cringe.
Some positives, the scenery is fantastic and it does have it's touching moments. Sheen is dependable.
I'm afraid i didn't enjoy this film, i felt it could have been so much more and at 2 hours long it's, far too long.
Not for me
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