Film Review: The Way

Wisely distancing themselves from the bizarre behaviour exhibited by fellow family member Charlie Sheen (which, thankfully seems to be abating now), Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen are currently promoting (in a Kevin Smith style tour across America and Canada) their newest venture together, 'The Way'.

Estevez is turning into quite the prolific director. His last film, 'Bobby' was a good ensemble piece, and in 'The Way', he really turns in a fantastically shot and plotted out film (he also wrote it.)

His Dad, Martin Sheen plays Tom, a opthamologist, who is called abroad after the death of his son Daniel (naturally, a small role played by Estevez himself) who has been killed whilst attempting to walk the 'El Camino de Santiago' from France to Spain. Once there, and in the possession of Daniels ashes, Tom decides to make the pilgrimage himself, in his sons honour.

Along the way he meets Joost (Yorick van Wageingen), from Amsterdam who is walking to lose some weight (or so he says), Sarah (Deborah Kara Unger) a grouchy Canadian who has her demons and Jack (James Nesbitt), an Irish writer with a serious case of writers block. Eventually, they become friends and carry on 'the way'.

'The Way' is a very genteel film, very slowly paced, with some spectacular shots of Europe (the film was shot on the 'Camino de Santiago' itself), and features a great lead performance from Martin Sheen.

After the West Wing, it took a while for me to see Martin Sheen for anything less than the President of the United States. Such was the power and brilliance of that show. And in fact, Renee Estevez (who had a small role in West Wing for years) appears at the start of 'The Way' as Toms receptionist. It did remind me a bit of the show.

But this performance is all about Tom trying to come to terms with the fractured relationship he had with his son (told in a few heartbreaking flashback scenes), and also turns into looking at the other reasons he's taking the walk. Hint: he's not just doing it to spread his sons remains across Europe, as it turns out.

The fact that you know Sheen and Estevez are father and son in real life does add to the emotional punch of the film. So much so that even when the 'ghost' of Daniel appears from time to time, it doesn't feel the least bit out of place or over the top.

The films 2 hour, 10 minute running time does start to flag though, especially in the second half of the film. It does show what a long pilgrimage it all is, but if it wasn't for Sheen's presence you'd be losing interest rapidly. But by the time you get to the end of their walk, you don't mind - the films conclusion is as heartwarming and touching as the rest of the film has been.

****
A real labour of love for Emilio Estevez, and continuing to show what a great director he has become. Casting his Dad may seem obvious, but it's a masterstroke at the same time, this is Martin Sheen's best celluloid performance in years. A touch overlong, but this is a heartwarming and gently paced film that you have to check out.