The Way is All About Family, Serves to Uplift Audience

Laura Flippin's latest blog post:

For Emilio Estevez, film production doesn’t get much more personal than The Way.  The film is not only written, directed and produced by himself, it is inspired by his son, stars his father and is dedicated to his grandfather.  According to a review completed by Roger Ebert, the personal touch of the film serves to allow the audience to connect with the picture, even if the content is rather light, resulting in some slower moments in the two-hour duration.

The film centers around two characters—Tom and his son Daniel.  Tom, played by Martin Sheen, struggles with the loss of his child, Daniel—portrayed by Estevez, from the very start of the film.  Daniel had been on a pilgrimage to conquer the Camino de Santiago—also known as The Way of St. James.  This journey involves crossing over Spanish mountain country and is evidently very dangerous, as Daniel dies in his attempt to complete the task.

Prior to Daniel’s death, the relationship between son and father had been terse.  Not much detail is provided on the conflict; however, Tom, a clearly secular and non-religious man, could’ve been at odds with a distinctly religious son, who was driven to complete the religious pilgrimage that served as his demise.  Tom is summoned to Spain to identify the remains of his son and oversee the cremation.  In an instinctive decision, Tom decides to complete Daniel’s last journey and spread his son’s ashes over The Way.

Surly and preferring to travel alone, conflict arises as Tom finds three travelers who seem persistent on carrying out The Way by his side.  Daniel appears to Tom on several occasions, either in visions or from his pure imagination.  Through the journey, Tom reconciles his issues with his son and even grows to forgive him for undertaking the fatal path to begin with.

Ebert argues that the picture is a bit light on content for a feature film.  However, he notes that, while the film may not be exceptional, it is pleasant, nice and quietly positive.

from Laura Flippin Movie Reviews http://ift.tt/1prGOd6