“The Way” is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James.  Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn’t plan on is the profound impact the journey will have on him and his “California Bubble Life.”

Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey. On “The Way,” Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, each with their own issues and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen), a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt), who is suffering from a bout of writer’s block.

From the unexpected and, oftentimes, amusing experiences along “The Way,” 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.  Through Tom’s unresolved relationship with his son, he discovers the difference between “the life we live and the life we choose.”

I had never heard of the movie The Way.  I remember seeing Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez on the Today Show talking about it and it peaked my interest.  What really attracted me to the film was that fact it had father and son in it.

I really enjoyed this film.  It was a very predictable film but I really enjoyed going on the Camino de Santiago with Tom and the amazing people he meets along the way.  It really is a soul searching adventure for all of them.  It almost made me want to go on a personal pilgrimage on my own.

I think that Emilio Estevez did great as the screenwriter and as the director.  I loved how he captured the foreign people and the beautiful land.  The script was very well written.  It had lots of humor but a lot of heart.  I also felt that Martin Sheen did some wonderful acting and I bet he had fun being directed by his son.

If you are looking for a fun movie to escape the world for a couple of hours, The Way is a great choice!

The Way gets bragging rights!

 

The Way is now in select theaters and it is rated PG-13.  For more information, you can visit the film’s Official Website.