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Guest Author Mike Friedman Reviewing "The Way"

3/23/2016

20 Comments

 
Picture

I had missed The Way when it came to the big screen in 2011.  However, I was able to watch it 'on demand' for free on the ShowTime channel.

Author and Illustrator, Mike Friedman, shared his appreciation for this movie with me in the form of this review.  After I took some time to watch for myself, I find that 'I couldn't agree more'.

Check out Mike's review for yourself and you may find yourself as enthralled with this movie as we both were.


Warning -  this is going to be filled with spoiler alerts. THE WAY is a film written, produced and directed by Emilio Estevez. David Alexanian and Julio Fernández are also given credit as producers.

PictureMike Friedman of Mockingbird Books
Thinking men examine the how and what and why of life. This film does its best to capture those qualities. When listening to this film for the first time, I was caught up in the dialogue and that is applauses for the writer. It caught my attention quickly. The second time it happened to be on cable TV. The story line caught my attention. I stopped what I was doing and sat and watched.
​
It was not long before the film began to take on a ‘follow the yellow brick road’ atmosphere. One of the clever subtleties was that Martin Sheen, playing Thomas Avery the father, took on the roles of the brave lion, a scarecrow with a brain, and a tin man with a heart. That did not leave any of the familiar parts for Deborah Kara Unger as Sarah, James Nesbitt as Jack, Yorick van Wageningen as Joost, Emilio Estevez as Daniel Avery, and Tchéky Karyo as Captain Henri.
​
The story-line is simplicity itself. The metaphor of the road is transparent from the beginning. There is even a scene where we are hit over the head with it in case we missed it. Tom Avery clashes with his adult son when his son makes a life choice to quit school and go out and experience life.

Picture
​The son Daniel, played by Emilio Estevez, finds out how harsh the world can be when he suddenly loses his life in the Pyrenees.  The authorities contact Tom, and he sets off on the tragic responsibility to France to retrieve his son. 

The setting of the film is the Camino de Santiago. It is the road that many pilgrims take in their search both for religious meaning and to "find" themselves.  Tom in his struggle with the unbearable pain of his loss, journeys down the path of the Camino de Santiago that his son had set out to travel. Tom has his son cremated and plans to scatter his ashes along the way.

On the road, Tom finds himself with fellow travelers, a young woman, a man from Amsterdam who loves food, and a sports writer from Ireland fighting to find his way back to his craft. This unlikely foursome, each carrying their troubles begin to form a bond along the quiet of Camino de Santiago through Spain.
  
The metaphor that struck me the deepest is when a teenage gypsy boy in Spain steals the backpack. Tom had set his backpack down outside of a pub, with Daniel’s ashes inside. There is a chase, but the young man outran his pursuers. This to me represented the gypsy spirit of Daniel. He had turned his attention away from his Master’s Degree (perhaps anthropology) to go experience life. His gypsy had stolen his life. There is a scene where the four attend a gypsy gathering. The music is loud, and the spirits of all in attendance lift. There are smiles on the face of each of the travelers.
  
This is a quiet film. It is filled with bottled up love. It did not make a lot of money. I think money
was not the only thing that motivated the story, filming, and distribution. It is a film with a lot of class.

Thanks, Mike.  You happen to be  friend and a writer with a lot of class.  And I must say that you write a compelling review...

Couldn't help but finish up today's post with a classic..."My Way" by Frank Sinatra.
Please enjoy the following posts by other indie biz pro bloggers...
  • Vicki's Super Muffins via WarnerWords
  • Politics: Where is the Pooper Scooper When You Need One? via Graceful Intentions
  • Gearing up & fighting back with magnets, oils and diffusers via flashPress
Wishing you a most happy and peaceful Easter weekend.

Until next week,

mar
20 Comments
Mike
3/23/2016 10:15:30 am

Hello mar. Thank you for hosting this review. I appreciate that.

Reply
Maria link
3/24/2016 12:24:12 pm

And thank you, dear Mike for the review and the referral...awesome job on both!

Reply
Ruby link
3/23/2016 11:19:00 am

I didn't see this movie but I would love to see it. Mike's review piqued my interest as he made the scenes come alive with a sense of caring and excitement, attempting to recover the backpack with the son's burial ashes. Thanks for Frank's, ' My Way. ' Loved it! Shared...

Reply
Maria link
3/24/2016 12:26:07 pm

I know you'll enjoy this movie, Ruby and not surprised you enjoyed my Sinatra selection.

Love ya, dear Ruby.

Reply
Sannel link
3/23/2016 01:17:49 pm

Hello Maria,
I have not seen the movie, but it sounds like a movie I really would love. Thanks to Mike's wonderful review, it will be added to my list of movies to see. Thank you for a great read! Wishing both of you a delightful and safe Easter weekend.
My love and hugs,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
3/24/2016 12:27:41 pm

You are most welcome, dear Sannel. Please let me know what you think when you have a chance to check this movie out.

Blessed and peaceful Easter to you too. Love and hugs, Maria

Reply
paula link
3/23/2016 08:10:16 pm

Maria, Thank you for featuring Mike's interesting review of this movie, which sounds like one I have to see! I have often found it well worthwhile to see the not-so-highly-marketed movies that are hidden in the shadows somewhat. The reality is that these films can be more moving and powerful than the box office SMASH!
Mike, great review, Sir. Thank you! Peace, Paula

Reply
Maria link
3/24/2016 12:30:58 pm

I totally prefer "indie" movies over the Hollywood box office hits as well, dear Paula.

We are fortunate to have a couple IFC cinemas in our area...even the theaters are more historical and charming.

Check this out as you have the time...Love ya, Maria

Reply
Theresa
3/23/2016 10:14:16 pm

Maria,

Thank you for sharing Mike's wonderful review. I will have to watch it! Mike knows something good when he sees it. Sounds interesting and I trust Mike's good judgement. Hugs

Reply
Maria link
3/24/2016 12:32:56 pm

I also trust Mike's judgment, dear Theresa...you'll be crying at the end like I was, I predict.

Wishing you and your beautiful family a blessed and lovely Easter.

Hugs backatcha, Maria!

Reply
Martie link
3/24/2016 12:37:39 am

Indeed a compelling interview. Now where, I wonder, am I going to get The Way, now on my ToWatch list.

Thank you, Maria & Mike!

Reply
Maria link
3/24/2016 12:34:38 pm

Dear Martie,

I'll be on the look out for a DVD of "The Way". There's more than one "WAY" to skin a cat (LOL).

Love you much, mar

Reply
Robert
3/24/2016 09:52:07 am

The movie did the Camino de Santiago an injustice. It injured many people who walked it. Many took the movie at face value and lost toe nails blisters as big as golf balls. It took me and many close to 6 months to a year to prepare for the camino. Im just saying the movie should've been more responsible.

Reply
Maria link
3/24/2016 12:41:49 pm

Dear Robert,

I greatly value your comment as you give us all a good reminder of reality.

As a nurse and a walker (1-2 miles a day so NOT a trekker by a long shot), I commend you for preparing in "only" six months. I would likely need 2-3 times that period of time to even "think" about walking the Camino de Santiago.

My respect and congratulations to you for taking this journey. When I calculated it, seemed to be at least 500 miles...wow.

I'm thinking a disclaimer at the end informing viewers of the need for medical clearance and major endurance preparation would drive this point home.

Reply
Robert Pagan
3/27/2016 11:49:59 am

Thank you for publishing nmy comment.
I just wanted people to know that the movie is great but before they go, be prepared, 1/2 of the people that started the camino with me left the camino due to injury, lack /over equipment.

Maria link
3/30/2016 08:18:55 am

Thanks for stopping back, Robert. Your experience / feedback is credible, balanced and most welcome.

Hope you are having a good week.

femmeflashpoint link
3/29/2016 07:52:27 pm

I remember this movie and enjoyed it. I had to brush back the mind-webs, but once the description got under way, the fog cleared, lol.

Good review and I agree the movie's definitely worth the watching!

Reply
Maria link
3/30/2016 08:24:27 am

The sign of a worthwhile movie is when we can remember after 'brushing back those (darned) mind-webs.

Thanks for your visit and remarks, dear femme.

Reply
Shauna
5/2/2016 12:56:54 pm

I haven't seen this movie. After Mike's wonderful review, I'll have to keep my eyes out for it. Hopefully, it'll come to one of the non-premium cable channels soon.

Reply
Maria link
5/4/2016 07:25:19 am

I think you'll enjoy this movie greatly when you have a chance to see it, dear Sha.

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

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      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
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    • marcoujor on Hubpages
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