The Way (2010)

[Edgy MD]

Martin Sheen stars as a grieving opthamologist walking El Camino de Santiago, meeting other pilgrims from other countries as he goes. No wife of bath, though. Emilio Estevez directs.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Surely they could have found a part for Charlie too?

[Edgy MD]

I think they could have if he wasn't already raking in more money than anybody on television by generating publicity as someone utterly unconcerned with redemption.

Else, despite Martin originally suggesting Michael Douglas and Mel Gibson as leads to his son, the film turns into a family affair, with Emilo's mother Janet producing, and sister Renee appearing. The film does its job despite no real surprises, and the real money shots clumsily executed, the money monologues sounding forced, robbing the audience of the authentic pilgrim experience it attempts to deliver. Hanging over all of it is that Martin's character is taking the pilgrimage while devastated by the loss of his beloved son, played by Emilio in flashback, leaving the viewer feeling somewhat awkward watching a story not about how much he loves his dad, but how much his dad loves him.

I think, with Wisdom, Emilo became the youngest dude ever (at least to that point) to script, direct, and star in a film, but 26 years later, despite laudably ambitious subjects, I'm not sure he's gotten the hang of it yet.