The Way

The Way

No way was I going to see this film. It didn’t appeal to me. Several friends raved about it and so I promised I would see it. No new film has opened in the city for the last few weeks so this was my opportunity to see The Way which has now been around for about a month. I was surprised the theatre was full.
Martin Sheen plays the lead role in the film directed by his son Emilio Estevez.
Dr Avery (Sheen) is an eye doctor leading a good life. His 40 year old son, Daniel, was trying to find himself. He had been upset since his mother’s death and headed out on a pilgrimage to walk the Camino de Santiago. On the drive to the airport Daniel tells his father,” You don’t choose a life. You live one.”
This is a well known pilgrimage that winds for 800 kilometers through the Pyrenees from France to Spain. It is an arduous walk and a chance for many to find spiritual satisfaction.
Dr Avery receives a phone call (while golfing) that his son has died during his pilgrimage in a storm.
Dr Avery goes to Europe to bring back his son’s body. He decides to make the pilgrimage that was denied to his son. Daniel, in fact, does go along as his ashes are carried in a fancy box by his father. The ashes are scattered on route.
The film is the journey taken by the father. It is an arduous journey. Along the way he meets several characters with whom he begins to bond. It is touching and also humorous at times.
The cinematography is majestic. It is worth the price to take this cinematic voyage through the mountains and the small picturesque villages. The villages are quaint and the cathedrals are magnificent. In some places they stay in large dormitories all sleeping on bunks in a large room. Can you just imagine the loud snoring and lack of privacy? Along the way they meet interesting town’s people and have many experiences.
I adored the scenes watching them sipping wine and eating outdoors in quaint restaurants on the way.
At one spot Dr Avery treats his three (new) buddies to a night in an expensive Spanish hotel. It was delightful. It was also very soothing to watch the friendships develop.
He begins to find peace in his son’s death. He also discovers himself. The other traveling companions had their own demons to conquer. I can well believe that such a trek could be soulful and enlightening.
It was a voyeur’s dream to take that pilgrimage. It was also a journey of discovery for the characters involved. Along the way Dr Avery keeps thinking he sees his son who shows his approval with a big smile. At the end of the film I realized that the character of Daniel was played by Estevez, the director and Martin Sheen’s real son. I don’t know why I waited so long so view this film. I’m pleased it was still playing and I finally had the opportunity to see this wonderful film.
If I wanted to find fault I would say that the pilgrims didn’t appear tired enough or worn out from all that hiking. It was almost too easy. The weather seemed to be in their favor for the whole trip. One can always find fault. The film was a great arm chair voyage in many ways.