The Way, My Way

 

“It’ll come good.”

Inspiring, personal and earnest, The Way, My Way, documents one stubborn man’s pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago as he is humbled from being demanding and judgemental to gentle and thoughtful, through a combination of actors and real life pilgrims who bring honest emotion and authenticity to this true tale of self discovery. 

Discussion Points:

Bill Bennett’s pilgrimage turned memoir turned docudrama is a story of humbling, personal growth and determination. When asked on the trip by a fellow pilgrim: “Why are you doing this walk?” Bennett replies “I don’t know… I wanna let the walk give me the answer.” And the answer by the end is to grow. Bennett grows from a man quick to judge, critique and complain, to a man wanting to listen, share and be humble. As he is confronted by his own thoughts, weaknesses and failures, Bennett comes to find a new outlook on life that is far less selfish and far more selfless, to the benefit of his loving wife who has stood by his side despite his flaws and others he meets along the way. By using real life pilgrims to play themselves, Bennett captures such a raw authenticity that frequently brings tears to the eye. The Camino de Santiago means something different to each person who walks it, and it’s so obvious how deeply personal this pilgrimage is to each of them. Reminded me numerous times of Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland in its docudrama approach. Overall, a very simple and sweet story about one aging stubborn man’s journey of self discovery and personal growth that I was charmed by.