Review of the Martin Sheen movie

[sillydoll]

This review of the Martin Sheen moview was posted on another forum:

I just saw this movie last night. I had no prior knowledge of "The Camino". Without giving anything away, as I have the greatest respect for Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez, this is a movie that everyone must see. It is authentic, honest and throughly believable. Absent from this film is the usually Hollywood glitz and glamour. It is just a truthful and honest story that respects the locations it visits. The feeling I had after the screening was one of having just listened to a good friend describe a very important journey. Emilio Estevez has done an excellent job of telling and filming a great story. I am sure this film will increase interest in The Camino, however, probably only with those that take deep meaning from it's origins. Although this film would probably be embarrssed by it, for it is placed well above the usual Hollywood drivil, it deserves an academy award nomination for best film.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Did the post say where the movie can be seen?

 

[sillydoll]

I asked the member that and he said:

I saw the film at an advanced screening in Huntington Beach, California. It was a one night viewing to get input from the audience after the screening. The film was very well received by everyone in the focus group I was in. The only comment regarding a release date was that it would be late in the year.

 

[ivar]

I think this is good news... I saw the trailer a few days ago and it looks promising.

Greetings from Santiago,
Ivar

 

[Anniesantiago]

I hope Joe and I got into the movie! ::laughing::

Watch for us toward the end when Sheen, and his two companions are marching across the Plaza and into the Cathedral. There is a group of four of us, and they shot that scene about 8 times, so I'm hoping it will be in there!

YAY! I can't wait to see the movie. It sounds like a wonderful story!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The film may do for American pilgrims what Hape Kerkeling did for German pilgrims. Of course, Hape actually walked it. Martin Sheen was a convincing Vietnam veteran in Apocalypse Now even though he never served in the U.S. military in the era when even Elvis Presley was drafted. Since he was a college dropout, no one has ever explained how he dodged the draft. Life is not acting, and a Hollywood film is not a Camino, as I think we all can attest. If he and his son make a pile of money from the film, well, that is the American Way! Those who cannot do, teach.

 

[Labtails]

Martin was not in the military because he was considered 4F due a damaged left shoulder. His shoulder was crushed by forceps at birth. His left arm is 3 inches shorter than his right. He has limited movement of his left shoulder. As an actor he has learned to hold his hand/arm in a way that this difference in not noticed by most viewers. He puts his hands in his pockets a lot & carries things in his left hand. If you see a photo of him standing with both arms down at his sides it is very easy to see. Martin in no way was a draft dodger. But he will tell you himself that he is a pacifist.
I very much look forward to seeing The Way.

 

[markss]

The following from Emilio Estevez regarding "The Way":

We are off to Spain to premiere the film in both Santiago and Madrid. We will celebrate Mass with The Holy Father, Pope Benedict in Santiago de Compostela on November 6th. "The Way" will then premiere in Santiago on November 8th. On November 10th, we will have our Madrid premiere followed by the Spanish national release on November 19th. Both Martin and I will be in Spain to promote the picture in the lead up to the national release.

The next proposed date for theatrical release will be mid-April in the UK. Icon International Entertainment will be distributing in England.

We are currently in negotiations with other international territories regarding release. Please check back on our website and Facebook page, as we will be updating on a more regular basis as we get closer to release.

Back here in the US, we are formulating our plans for an American theatrical release sometime in mid-April as well.

 

[MermaidLilli]

Call me impatient, but does a movie have to wait that long to be released?
:roll:
Lillian

 

[Caminando]

[quote="falcon269" Martin Sheen was a convincing Vietnam veteran in Apocalypse Now even though he never served in the U.S. military in the era when even Elvis Presley was drafted.

You're right. Actors act. You don't have to have lived in the 16th century to act in a Shakespearian play, nor have been a contemporary of Arthur Miller to perform in his works.


Since he was a college dropout, no one has ever explained how he dodged the draft.[/quote]

Good point. Need anyone explain why he honourably refused to participate in the horror of US attacks on Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos?

 

[alipilgrim]

Hi Lillian,

I think they would have loved to release the movie earlier but I believe they couldn't get a company to distribute it to theatres... no one wanted to be the first to take the chance that it wouldn't be popular and make money - they have to spend so much to advertise and show the movies. Perhaps if it does well in Europe, it might be easier for an American distributor to sign on.

 

[ivar]

I saw the movie yesterday (with our own JohnnieWalker!) in Santiago, and I really liked it!

I will try to write up a mini-review later when I have some more time, but in short I thought it was a good movie.

Was it the best movie I ever saw: no
Would I recommend it: yes

I think it is important to emphasis that this is not a documentary, but a hollywood movie... so there is a storyline that some might like/not like... there are a few scenes that they have added to sell the movie in the US (that people in Spain would react to) .... but overall the movie was moving... and once they arrived in Santiago... it was quite emotional (for me anyway)...

...I also stopped by the press conference with Martin and Emilio afterwards... nothing really new there...

Will write more later... (probably weekend).

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[Priscillian]

Ivar, do you have any info on showings in Spain? Where and when?

 

[ivar]

November 19th in Spain. Do not know the cities yet, but it should be "all over".

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[ksam]

Ok...Maybe...I could.. Ah HA!....buy a ticket...fly to Spain...see movie...fly home! :shock: Why not! It does seem like it's been a long long wait for this one, but I guess all good things take time. Ah well. :roll:

 

[Anna-Marie]

Nancy Frey (who wrote Pilgrim Stories) just reviewed The Way: http://www.nancy-frey.com/home/?p=73

It's the first review I've seen by someone who's actually experienced the Camino, and is very positive (with a few pilgrim-ly quibbles).

Anna-Marie

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Having seen this film with Ivar in Santiago last week I think that Nancy Frey's review is absolutely spot on.

For pilgims and those interested in the pilgrimage this film is a "must" and you WILL enjoy it

However my lingering anxiety is that the film is not sufficiently commerical and appealing to a wider audience to be successful enough to survive - it may appear on DVD sooner rather than later in my view. I hope I am wrong.

John

 

[ivar]

I agree... the review is great.... I was thinking if writing something up this weekend, but having read this one... not sure if there is much more to say.

Saludos from a rainy Santiago!
Ivar

 

[Priscillian]

My pilgrim daughter, Rebecca, and I went to see the film in Malaga last night. I was expecting to be disappointed. But I wasn't.
First of all, it is balanced. There is acknowledgment of the religious aspects of the Camino, but also the idea of the Way as the destination, as Tom spreads his son's ashes at various waymarks along the path, but also decides - having had a conversation with a helpful gypsy in Burgos - to take the path beyond Compostela to Muxía to scatter the remainder of the ashes in the sea on the rocks in front of La Virgen de la Barca. Having visited Muxía myself this year I was delighted that they chose this place rather than the more commercialised Finisterre.
Secondly, it is powerful. The notion of a Tom who changes gradually from someone who sought to impose his own values and lifestyle on his adventurous son follows the idea that no matter who your are or what you believe in, the Camino WILL change you in one way or the other, as Tom does, "seeing" his son along the Camino and even visualising him pulling the ropes of the Botefumeiro with great satisfaction in the Cathedral.
Finally, it is funny. The scene where the four are practicing baton-twirling with their bordones had me laughing out loud. In fact, the dialogue free part of the movie as they move across the Mesa was my favourite. It helped to encapsulate what happens when individuals with nothing whatsoever in common, come together in commonm circumstances.
I didn't particularly like two of the characters and in this Rebecca and I were in agreement: Sarah the Canadian is much too brash and intrusive from the outset (and who wears skin tight jeans on the Camino?), but perhaps she had to be hard in order to mellow through the journey, as she seems to do. There was nheed to flesh out the character but perhaps little time. The Irish writer selfishly only wants to take the lives of others in order to break out of his writer's block and it is hard to warm to him at any time although even Tom accepts him for what he is later in the movie.
Tom, however is brilliantly portrayed by Martin Sheen whose facial expressions leave extensive dialogue unnecessary. A true award winning performance.
Purists will complain about the non-Latin Compostela and the fact that the replacement was given so easily (can't tell any more though...). No we don't go up the steps and through the Great Door: I believe only the King does that! Both Rebecca and I as long term residents of Spain were offended by the unpleasant "Madame Debril"-type character who has never walked the Camino and who informs Tom that he is in Basque country - Navarra in this case - and not Spain. This was a gratuitous, misleading and unncecessary throw away by Estevez and I could hear people bristle around me here in the cinema in Andalucia. It's a touchy subject. More Catalunians think themselves "not Spanish" than Navarese, or even those from Pais Vasco. Also police are not likely to throw enebriated and noisy pilgrims in the drunk tank (God knows they'd never get any real work done else!).
On a positive note - and there are many - "El Ramon" from Jack Hitt's wonderful book Off the Road was a great little vignette as were others taken from that favourite Camino book of mine (though not where the bird drops from the sky, alas). Read it for yourself; it is still the best.
I am looking forward to the DVD and the chance to see it in English. Certainly it can only have a positive effect on those who are feeling the Camino draw them closer. It's gently done, perhaps too gentle for a general audience, but it has a lasting effect and made me want to get my boots out (yet) again.
Tracy Saunders
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.com
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com

 

[Labtails]

I saw The Way this past Monday when it was shown in Dayton, OH. Martin and Emilio were in good spirits with many family and friends in attendance. Having not yet walked the Camino I found the film to be very inspirational. They included as much basic information as they could: where, why, what, who goes. The climactic scenes at and in the Cathedral were great. They managed to work in James Taylor's "Country Road". I believe Martin and Emilio made their best effort for realism. I highly recommend seeing it to all.

 

[Portia1]

Question for those who have seen this movie. We went to the opening last night in DC. The movie was good--I was very moved, as were others. Though I'm not sure it really portrayed how difficult the Camino can be physically (so there might be those who think they can, like Tom, simply start out and really keep moving). But the film quality itself was really poor--very fuzzy and difficult to see. Was this simply the quality of the particular media vehicle at the theater or is the movie shot with poor resolution? I would like to purchase the DVD when it becomes available in the US but not if it is fuzzy. Thanks.

 

[Priscillian]

Not fuzzy in Spanish. Are you sure it wasn't those Marguerita's you had beforehand...?

 

[Portia1]

Must have been the DC water! Any way, good to know that it has been shot clearly and that the fuzziness is the fault of the theater. A group of us are going in a few weeks and before I went again, just wanted to be sure.