Review of The Way (2010) by Jon C — 25 Feb 2012

'You don't choose a great movie, you watch one'... An instant addition to my favorite movies of all time. It's such a great film, one that left me feeling good inside about the journeys that each of the characters took, no matter how big or small-the-importance that those journeys were.

Each year, I'll end up giving only a handful of films a perfect rating, but only on rare occasions do they truly deserve such an honor... I've done my fair share of traveling and hiking with my dad through state and national parks over the course of at least a decade, but I'm sure that every mile added together would equal the amount of walking those characters hiked in a matter of months.

I know what it's like to get out, smell the fresh air, hear the sounds and see the sights of nature and soak in all of its beauty. I also know what it's like to spend that time walking with my dad.

Each year's journey for us may be a short hike or climb through the hillside, but its enjoyable. It's memorable. The one thing that differs from us and the father and son in the film is that me and my dad are very much alive, where as Tom(played by Martin Sheen) has suddenly lost his only son Daniel(played by Emilio Estevez) while Daniel was just beginning his months long hike on The Camino de Santiago.

He had just started, when a storm caught him off guard and took his life. His father flies over to look at his body, and as he prepares to take him back home, he has a sudden change of plans. As much as Daniel wanted to accomplish this kind of feet, walking the famous Way of Saint James trails, he decides to take Daniel's ashes(after cremated him-for easier transport) and go on the hike himself, giving Daniel the chance to do what he wanted to do.

.. If you're a hiker, who has a goal in mind-to accomplish later on down the road-like maybe climbing a mountain or walking the same trail that Tom walked, then you'll certainly love this film.

There's a vast collection of beautiful scenery seen behind Tom every step of the way, so if you're one who loves views, this too is for you. If you also have a dad, or perhaps the other way around-a son whom you've recently lost and would like to accomplish that one last dream they had before they died, then this story delivers a strong motivational-push towards helping you do that.

.. The film shows not only Tom, but three people who meet him along the way and start following him to the end of his journey. We learn that they all have a journey of their own. Each journey is a test.

The test is to see if they can accomplish a goal they set out with. One wishes to quit smoking. One wishes to lose weight. One wishes to find motivation for his writing. And Tom of course, wishes to fulfill his son's dream.

As they work on doing this, we learn a little more about each character, and it's nice to know them by the end and see that they all become close... The music is a perfect backdrop alongside of the beautiful landscapes.

It's a well made film. The story is quite interesting and well worth watching, but it's the cinematography that really impressed me. It isn't the best work I've seen in 2011, but I am a bit disappointed that it didn't get nominated for it in any awards show.

This is the fifth film Emilio Estevez has directed, which surprised me, but knowing that he's done more than just this film, it makes sense because of how good I thought the film was. Emilio and Martin are father and son in real life, and the two play the father and son in the film.

I'm sure just the two of them making this movie together was a nice way of spending time, especially in a country that is very beautiful to look at.