The Way opens in select theaters today (October 7) and more widely next weekend.
Written and directed by Emilio Estevez and starring his father Ramón Estévez - or, as you know him, Martin Sheen – the film is centered on a man who picks up his son’s journey on the Camino de Santiago.
I saw the movie last week in Atlanta, and I recommend it without reservation. It doesn’t have the spiritual depth and specificity of Of Gods and Men, true, but it’s a different sort of film. I agree with Steven Greydanus’ take. There are missing layers and unconnected dots – but what’s onscreen is enticing enough to undoubtedly encourage many to search out those layers and connect some of the dots.
It’s also a different sort of film than almost anything else being made today. It’s trying for something intensely human, the filmmakers respect the audience’s intelligence, and it’s a serious film about broken people that doesn’t need to sink low in the quest for authenticity. Think On the Waterfront. A throwback – but in a good way. And perhaps a step forward, if enough of us go see it.
The scenery, of course, is gorgeous and will make you want to book your tickets to Spain, pronto, and perhaps even toy with the idea of making the camino yourself.
Or simply remembering that your life, as you’re living it right now, is indeed a camino. You’re not sitting still. You’re not running in circles. You’re on the way, as well.
The film is true to the reality of this pilgrimage, in that it is one that is undertaken by all types of people for all types of reasons. It is also subtly true to the reality – even if we pilgrims are often unaware of it – that no matter what we think our reasons are, there is really only one.
Matt Archbold has a great interview with Estevez, Sheen, and producer David Alexanian in NCRegister. (Warning: there is a spoiler in that interview..not sure if I would have chosen to include it. So read at your peril.)
At the reception before the Atlanta screening, I missed Estevez, but I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Alexanian (who produces The Long Way Round series with Ewan McGregor racing about the world on a motorcycle) and at more length with Martin Sheen – didn’t take any photos, didn’t write anything down, because this time, at least, I hadn’t gone to work. Much to my surprise, he and I ended up talking about many things – about faith and loss, travel and books – for half an hour, sitting there in the Red-Eyed Mule in Marietta, Georgia. A lovely, surprising moment.
(There have been countless books written about the Camino – one of my favorites is On Pilgrimage by Jennifer Lash, who – speaking of movies – was the mother of Ralph and Joseph Fiennes.)
“…Perhaps even toy with the idea of making the camino yourself”. I’m thinking this would be especially attractive to young Catholics, who are often looking for something challenging, traditional and with lasting effects.
I want to see this one….heard other recommendations as well.
How I wish this were opening in more theaters this weekend. When I checked the website I found that It isn’t even being shown in the state where I live.
I enjoyed the movie, too. Thought it was smart, funny and uplifting. It deserves support. There are also several really good books about the Camino that I’ve read, the best (to my mind) being “Walk in a Relaxed Manner” by Joyce Rupp.
By the way, in the screening I attended, several Caministas testified to the film’s authenticity in representing the experience.
I saw the film almost a year ago when it premiered here in Spain. I came to live here and learn Spanish after making a pilgrimage along on the Camino de Santiago for the first time back in back in 1995, and I still live right here on the Camino!
I guess the filmmakers must have had a bit of difficulty getting U.S. distribution for the film, but I’m glad it’s finally been released in the U.S. Visually, it’s marvelous, and I agree with Sister Anne’s friends that the film generally represents very authentically the experience of making the pilgrimage. I have a few quibbles with some things in the film but they’re very minor.
I also agree with Father Shelton about the potential for the experience for young Catholics. I help organize and plan pilgrimages for groups who want to walk the Camino as a spiritual retreat and journey, and I have seen the effect that the Camino can have on young people, especially when they have a good spiritual director to accompany them and help them keep the focus of their journey clear. I would love to be in touch with any priests, religious or anyone involved in working with young people who would be interested in organizing something like this for a group of theirs.