The Way (2010)

Cast: Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Kara Unger, Yorick van Wageningen and James Nesbitt

Director: Emilio Estevez

Synopsis: Martin Sheen plays an American doctor, Tom, who travels to France after his son (Emilio Estevez) dies while attempting to walk the Camino de Santiago. After he puts his son’s affairs in order, Tom decides to finish the journey in his stead. The Camino, also known as The Way of St. James proves to offer adventure and companionship around every turn – whether he wants it or not. His many experiences along “The Way,” help Tom realize what his son meant by “the life we live and the life we choose.”

Review:

Emilio Estevez brings Jack Hitt’s book to life in this stunning movie that showcases one man’s journey along the Camino de Santiago, a 490-mile pilgrimage (also known as The Way of St. James) across Spain.

When Tom’s (Martin Sheen) son unexpectedly passes away, he must travel to France to bring him home. When he arrives, he learns that his son died in his effort to walk the Camino de Santiago. Rather than return home, Tom decides to finish the pilgrimage in his honor.

Though Tom plans to walk The Way of St. James on his own, he soon meets and travels with three other pilgrims from around the world: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen) wanting to lose weight, a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger), who is trying to quit smoking and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt), who is struggling with writer’s block.

The film serves as a great reminder that there is much in this life that we forget to experience and rarely appreciate – our family, friends, this vast and amazing world, and often, our own spirituality. The cast is a perfect gang of misfits and certainly represent the characters one would meet along such an incredible journey. They are relatable; while driving the viewer crazy, they are also endearing and loveable.

As the pilgrims journey along The Way, they experience adventure, sadness, drama and humor; the viewer often feels as though they are walking the Camino with them. The film touches on a plethora of emotions and creates an unexpected impact on all who watch it.

Though the film is 123 minutes long, it moves quickly and the gorgeous landscape of Spain and France give the viewer a case of wanderlust and a desire to learn the difference between “the life we live and the life we choose.”

The Way is exciting, dramatic and funny – well worth two hours of your time. It is currently available on Amazon. You can CLICK HERE to rent it online today. You can also purchase it on DVD by our friends at Books-A-Million.  

Now I really want to see this movie: The Way and learn more about the Camino de Santiago.
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Have you seen the movie, The Way? If so, tell us if/how it impacted you in the comments below.

About Our Guest Poster:

Darcee Snider is a Wyoming native, who appreciates the work ethic and strong values that growing up in the Cowboy State afforded her.  New Orleans has been a part of Darcee for a long time and she is excited to now be a part of New Orleans. She believes there is truly nowhere else like the Big Easy and the experiences it affords its citizens; she can’t wait to share them with the family and friends that are sure to visit.  Passion for literature, food, history, adventure and music are reasons why living in New Orleans is such an important part of Darcee’s story. She writes each chapter by enjoying the wonders of the Carousel Bar, exploring the WWII Museum, walking the streets of Uptown, navigating the hidden gems of the French Quarter and eating a Po-Boy at Mahony’s.

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