For many years the Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) has been a must-do for many Catholics. Most recently, the pilgrimage has become a personal journey where people from all over the world come to walk for many different reasons. In the latest film by writer/director Emilio Estevez, The Way, showcases the profound effect and natural wonder of this famed pilgrimage through the eyes of a man who seeks to undo his past mistakes.
Shot entirely on location in France and Spain, The Way stars Martin Sheen as Tom, a successful ophthalmologist from California whose strained relationship with his free-spirited son ends when he learns that his son Daniel, played by Emilio Estevez, dies in a tragic accident while hiking on the Camino de Santiago. Tom heads overseas to collect his son's remains, but soon learns that despite his best intentions, nothing is ever as straight forward as it seems. Ultimately, Tom makes a crucial decision: to pick up where his son left off and finish the pilgrimage in his honor. Along the way, he befriends an interesting band of characters who are all trying to exorcise their own personal demons. The first pilgrim he meets is Joost (Yorick van Wageningen), a happy-go-lucky Dutchman who is walking for health reasons. Along the way, they meet Sarah (Deborah Kara Unger), a tough-as-nails Canadian trying to make amends with herself over the loss of her daughter, and finally Jack (James Nesbitt), a witty Irishman who is on a mission to cure a long standing case of writer's block.
Luckily, film buffs will instantly realize that The Way is poignant and inspiring without being overly sappy. Blending humor and tragedy, the film will definitely surprise and satisfy those looking for a break from all the Hollywood pomp and noise.
The Way debuts on Friday, October 7th.
