The Way, My Way

I had seen this advertised for a while on Netflix and kept thinking this was not for me at all.

However once watching I discovered how much in common I had with the main character Bill, even though he is 30 years older than me. Flawed, stubborn and yet trying to find some purpose on his journey. I like when characters are not perfect. Because who really is?

I laughed several times out loud and I really enjoyed the scenery and learning a little about a trek I knew nothing about. It's a great advert for the region if nothing else.

Granted, this is not for everyone. But I loved the down to earth, simple and believable aspects of it.

Yes, fundamentally, this is "just" a movie about a cranky older guy going on a (very challenging) walk to resolve his later-life crisis. And yet, he (for this effectively an autobiographical film) manages to make it funny throughout.

This is the story about overcoming the odds where the odds are that way FOR A REASON - everyone else treats him as crazy for attempting this at his age and with only about a year of preparation - and he effectively concedes they are right, but pushes on anyway. What could have easily been frustrating becomes amusing thanks to just enough ironic distance. Furthermore, the personal narratives of the (mostly) "true pilgrims" on the trail provide the requisite grounding and the right kind of contrast to the protagonist - practically the only one not to have a religion-related reason for attempting the Camino.

In all, this is yet one more example of how a good film can be made with minimal budget and fuss. If you are an aspiring filmmaker starting from zero, this is most likely a better source of inspiration than just about everything else from 2024.

Having read the above reviews, it seems most reviewers don't have a clue what the movie is about. I don't know what they were expecting but for me it summed up the camino experience almost exactly.

The journey of self-discovery, the casual conversations with strangers that often reveal things one would not dream about talking about to anyone back home, the on again/off again nature of the friendships that are formed, the often hard physical and mental stress and at the end, that while it has certainly helped you to know yourself better, it has not resulted in any 'Road to Damascus' like revelations.

I was particularly impressed by the fact that many of the characters played themselves, they were not actors but the actual people the main character met on his camino and agreed to appear in the movie. ( for those who don't know the movie is based on the book of the same name about the author/ filmmakers own experiences on the camino)

I thought it was excellent and I certainly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the camino, or who just wants to see a good film about the human condition.

The Way, My Way sets out to capture the transformative power of the Camino de Santiago, the famed pilgrimage route across northern Spain. We follow a disgruntled man named Bill, who laces up his boots and embarks on the 800-kilometre journey, seeking some nebulous sense of purpose. Along the way, he encounters a colourful cast of characters, all with their own reasons for hitting the dusty trail.

The film's heart lies in its exploration of self-discovery. Bill starts off as a real grouch, constantly griping about blisters and questioning everyone's motives. But there's a vulnerability beneath his gruff exterior, which the film slowly reveals. However, the growth we witness feels uneven. Bill's epiphany at the end, while heartwarming, lands a little flat. It would've benefited from a stronger build-up and a deeper dive into his internal struggles.

The performances are a mixed bag. The supporting cast, a blend of actors and real-life pilgrims, shines. They bring a genuine warmth and camaraderie to the film, especially in scenes where weary travellers bond over shared meals and aching legs. However, the lead actor portraying Bill struggles to fully inhabit the character. There are moments where his frustration and self-doubt resonate, but he doesn't quite capture Bill's full arc of transformation.

Visually, The Way, My Way is a pleasant travelogue. Lush green hillsides and quaint Spanish villages provide a picturesque backdrop for the journey. The cinematography does a good job of capturing the vastness of the landscape, making you feel the enormity of the undertaking. The use of natural light is particularly effective, bathing the film in a warm, almost spiritual glow.

The score is a tasteful blend that underscores the film's themes of introspection and renewal without being overly sentimental. The editing is efficient, keeping the pace brisk as Bill traverses the various stages of the Camino.

The Way, My Way aspires to be a profound exploration of personal growth set against a stunning backdrop. While it succeeds in capturing the beauty of the Camino and the camaraderie that blossoms on the trail, the uneven storytelling and lead performance hold it back from reaching its full potential. If you're looking for a lighthearted travelogue with a touch of introspection, this might be your cup of tea. But those seeking a deeply moving character study might want to revisit another film about the Camino pilgrimage, perhaps The Way starring Martin Sheen.

The Way, My Way is a pleasant meander through the Spanish countryside, but it doesn't quite reach the emotional heights it strives for.

I went to see this movie because I have done many similar long distance walks, and I wanted to relive some of that experience, and to some extent I got that from watching this.

The movie is fairly enjoyable, with great scenery, but spends a lot of the running time getting to and through the first few days of walking, and then leaps ahead, missing out on some of the walking days, and at one point even seemed to have (I think it was) two day 26s. I would have liked to see the scenery for each and every day, but for other viewers that might have slowed down the pace (although the pace of this movie is purposely slow anyway).

Also, the movie is not entirely a good representation of this kind of activity - to meet 3 or 4 strangers on your first day, to take a day off due to injury, then to walk with a sore knee at a very slow pace, and then arrive 30 days and ~800km later at the end on the same day as all of those original walkers is unrealistic - I've only ever ended a multi-day walk once with anyone I met when I started it. Another thing that usually occurs over this length of trail is the amount of weight loss and fitness gain that occurs, neither of which seemed to happen to Bill.

There is very little story, other than Bill trying to find a reason for doing this walk, and the little encounters he has along the way. A reason is finally given, but I can't say I understood it myself - that line uttered by his wife at the end of the movie was merely a repeat of what she said earlier.

Other commenters say too much of the movie time was focused on Bill's character, but that part is realistic - that is what it is like when you are walking a trail alone - you spend most of the time on your own, with only yourself for company, looking at the scenery, and letting your mind wander.

I'm not sure this needed the full theatre experience, although those vistas do look magnificent at times, but as a lover of long distance hiking, this movie did nothing to make me want to undertake this trail - there are many others out there that take priority.