I was really looking forward to this movie, after catching the preview. From the beginning, the viewer is emotionally engaged with the unexpected and shocking news Dad Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) receives on the golf course. The story and Tom's choices had great potential, and drew me in. Unfortunately as the additional cardboard cutout characters entered, the writing felt forced... it lost something along 'The Way'. A bitter, chain smoking, damaged misandrist; thieving gypsies with pride and a guilty conscience; please... spare me. Martin Sheen's character predictably relaxes his originally rigid outlook on life to a certain extent on this spiritual pilgrimage. But in the same token, Sheen delivered a strong performance - he alone made this film for me. I think writer/director/producer/son Emilio Estevez was trying too hard to BE an indie filmmaker; trying too hard to say something about faith. It was a very good effort, but just "very good". I will say that I am envious of those who journey "El Camino de Santiago".

The best 'road' trip movie since "Easy Rider",.. excpt that this one actually goes somewhere ! Don't be put off by the "Catholic" association ,.. as the gypsy says, "religion has nothing to do with it". Wonderful scenery and a real feel for the backpacker ambience along the journey. The film is a vicarious and meaningful gift for me ,.. since my ankle injuries prevent any more hiking , and I'll never be able to walk 'The Way' (and I wouldn't do this pilgrimage on a bicycle !).

Two family members are walking the Camino now (Apr 2012) after seeing this movie. The movie is about relationships, but the Camino is a pilgrimage. It is a 500 mile "hike" that involves beautiful mountains, prairies that go on for great distances sometimes more than 10 miles without a break, or shelter, no towns or cafes, weather that can be practically perfect or miserable with 35 mph headwinds, rain, snow. There are also blisters, foot and knee pain, fatigue. AND there are relationships gathered along The Way - one of the best parts of the journey - and this is what the movie is about. I've seen it 4 times, and will see it again. It DOES get to you.

I really liked the notion of pilgrimage that the movie is built-around... and some of the actual scenery enroute was incredible! However, I found the acting to be pretentious, pedantic, and predictable. Sheen is terrible in this movie... and I normally like his work. Mistaking 'anger' for 'hurt', for example, is just one of his miscalculated acting faux pas. And the usually reliable Deborah Unger is just wasted here. ...See THE WAY though, for the actual 'journey' and the terrain it traverses... It's quite remarkable.

Sentimental & emotional, done well. The film meanders a bit through the many relationships created during the hike, along with the loss of life, but holds together to have impact. Will open your mind about life, family, relationships, and symbolism.

Somewhat sentimental, but affecting nonetheless. It's a bit hard to warm up to Tom's character (Martin Sheen) because of the length of his "determinedly isolated" phase. (And the drunken rage scene appears to come out of nowhere.) I'm not quite sure why this is listed as a comedy: there is some humour but it's fairly muted. Definitely worth watching, possibly as a date movie.

Have a box of tissue before you start to watch this film. I cried before during and after the film. I would recommend to watch it twice. Once to let it wash over you and the second time to let the message seep into your bones. You will have a hard time returning this video back but do it anyway so that others can view it.

Great movie about living life. Kudos to father/son team of Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Loved the character Jos from Amsterdam!

Must See – The Way (2010) 123 min. This weekend, I saw The Ides of March, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 and this gem of a film – The Way. This is one of those films that grab you from the start and doesn’t let go because of all the great things it has to say and how we’re hungry to learn. As I was watching this film, I started thinking of how I could change my life to be more active and more in tune with those around me – yes, I know – watch less movies and get a life. The almost 800 kilometer journey or the Camino de Santiago (where the remains of St. James the Apostle rest) is symbolic of one’s lifetime journey through life – there’s some ups and downs and through it all, there are people we meet that teach us or we teach through our own experiences. God leads these people on the journey of life to assist in our search for Him and ourselves. Wonderful film from start to finish.

This is a very good film about the relationships that can develop on a hike through small towns and villages. It is also fairly realistic which makes it more enjoyable then many films produced today.