The Way, My Way

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.

This film is obviously divisive.

There are those who complain it didn't show the scenery, or had bad acting, or unlikeable lead. It's unfortunate none of those things is what the film was about. It could have focused on the scenery, showing every beautiful vista or building along the way. It could have used all actors rather than some actual pilgrims and real people along the way. It could have had a very likeable person as lead. And the movie would have failed its objective.

The reason the movie has an unlikeable lead is because that's who he was - a self-absorbed, arrogant, difficult person (did you miss one of the last scenes with him on the phone to his wife?).

The story focused almost exclusively on his character, and how he 'grew'. And I believe it did a pretty good job of that, even down to him questioning if he was ready to complete the journey when he was within spitting distance of the end.

He basically had an epiphany towards the end - thus meeting the objective of growth.

There were some parts that could have been done better. But overall a good movie.

I've watched all the Camino movies and documentaries because they are all hero's journeys and I'm a sucker for that. I wanted to like this film, particularly since it is Australian. The photography and soundtrack were beautiful. Unfortunately, the lead was extremely unlikeable until halfway through. Nothing happened to show the audience he was worth caring about, and he lacked depth both in his behaviour and internal dialogue. He had an epiphany towards the end of the movie that was unfortunately unbelievable, because the insights he gained were not hinted at before. I can't help but compare his character to Martin Sheen's in The Way, a similar man; headstrong, but Sheen had warmth and charisma up the yin yang.

This movie makes me appreciate The Way even more than I did before. The four main characters seem like facsimiles of those in The Way (three men and a woman, one portly man who wasn't appreciated in relationship because of his appearance) but with none of the gravitas. Go watch The Way instead.

I don't rate below a 5 hence this is as bad it gets.

Bad acting, bad script, unbelievable dialogue, poor continuity, overuse of drones.... I could go on but don't waste your time or money on this one.

The jokes were poor and poorly delivered, and redelivered again and again. If the joke isn't funny the first time, don't tell it again!

The characters were not realistic and the actors knew it.

Two of the female characters were clearly cast for their looks and not ability. Surely we've moved on from this level of movie making?

Ultimately this movie is a self indulgent mess from the writer and director. Very poor.

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.