A film (brilliantly) written and directed by Emilio Estevez and starring Martin Sheen

Publisher’s Note:  For the full impact of this wonderful movie, please read about it in the OM Times Magazine October 2011 Full Multimedia Edition.

“The Way” is an inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges of navigating a complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), who died while walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James.

Embarking on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son’s memory, Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen), a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irishman (James Nesbitt). Eventually, Tom discovers the difference between “the life we live and the life we choose.”

THE WAY, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, was filmed along the actual Camino de Santiago.

THE WAY is Coming to Select Theaters on October 7th, Nationwide October 21st.  Connect with the website to find YOUR way to THE WAY: theway-themovie.com

Review of THE WAY

by Christopher Buck Publisher, OM Times Magazine

This is easily one of the very best, and certainly the most moving, films I have seen come out in a generation.  It is not a big-budget blockbuster with incredible special effects and action screens.  It is a simple film with a simple story of loss and redemption, of personal damnation and salvation.  It is a film of Healing.

Please do not think that my choice of “simple” is belittling.  In simplicity, there is purity.  This is an incredibly well-crafted film, from the superb writing and directing of Emilio Estevez to the extraordinaryacting of Martin Sheen to the exceptional dynamics between the characters.

It is rare that I have felt such a connection to a movie.  When Martin’s character identified the body of his son, as a father I felt his pain – and wept. With each of the characters, I internalized the inner demons they trekked the Camino to escape, and as they rewove themselves back into life through their interaction with each other, I felt their Healing. As they each found personal salvation through the revelation of learning to forgive themselves, I too felt I had made a pilgrimage with them on a Soul level and felt joy – and wept.

Unfortunately, it is not my call to give The Way the Oscars that this film merits, but what I can do to express my deep Gratitude is encourage each of you to share the journey by going to see the movie; and, when the time comes, by buying only the second DVD I have purchased in the last 10 years.  Buen Camino!