The Way is the story of grief and self-discovery during a journey that could never have been prepared for. This movie touched me right from the start.
Going into a movie completely blind is my favorite way to experience one. I may know the genre and sometimes the cast that is in the movie promo photo, but it’s rare that I look too much further than that. I find that it’s such a richer experience, and with The Way, I was swept up right from the beginning.
The Way is about Tom, an ophthalmologist in his 60s, who is the father of Daniel, and the two do not have a close relationship. Daniel is a dreamer and wants to learn, but not through books, through living life. His father feels that he should finish his PhD and settle down, but Daniel is done and ready to start a new chapter of his life. When Daniel suddenly dies during a trip abroad, Tom travels to identify the body, and ultimately decides to take the trip that his son intended, spreading Daniel’s cremated remains along the way.
I started getting chills almost immediately during this film. I can’t totally explain it, but the meeting of the tones, relationships, story, and music hit exactly right to capture both my attention and my heart.
I did not know until the initial credits began, but Emilio Estevez wrote, produced, directed, and played Daniel in this film, and his father, Martin Sheen, played Daniel’s father, Tom. There is something about watching these two men on screen together that is magical.
Daniel (and then Tom) had begun walking the El camino de Santiago, a real pilgrimage through Europe that is taken by people over many months for various religious or personal reasons. It is a walk to find yourself, and that fact is reiterated over and over in this film in various ways. So without much conversation or information, you know that everyone who Tom meets is on a very personal quest, regardless of what they say, how they act, or who they may be walking with.
My heart ached during this film for all of the reasons. The welcoming and kindness from so many, the genuineness and burdens of various people on the road and in towns, and the one man who says, “We’ve been expecting you” when Tom arrives at a small village completely unannounced. I wept.
The music choices also stuck out to me, with James Taylor and Alanis Morissette songs making a particular impact. Those aren’t names that I would normally place together, but I’m telling you, it worked very well.
The Way is a lovely film about a pilgrim’s journey for self-discovery and the people you meet on the road along the way. And while the El camino de Santiago is one option for delving deep into yourself and your life, we are all pilgrims of sorts walking our own roads. Here’s hoping for the kindness and awakening that Tom found for all of us.
Runtime: 120 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, it’s great
Did I Cry? Yes, I cried a few times
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Peacock, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
Going into a movie completely blind is my favorite way to experience one. I may know the genre and sometimes the cast that is in the movie promo photo, but it’s rare that I look too much further than that. I find that it’s such a richer experience, and with The Way, I was swept up right from the beginning.
