Stars: Martin Sheen, Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt, Omar Munoz, Antonion Gil, Emilio Estevez
Running time: 128 mins
Rating: ***

FATHER and son Martin Sheen (lead actor) and Emilio Estevez (director) team up for an emotion-packed drama that turns out to be a very long Way indeed.

Its heart is in the right place even if the journey seems to take an age as a group of “pilgrims” walk the 800 kilometre Camino de Santiago – The Way of St James – in the Pyrenees.

American doctor Tom (Sheen) is undertaking the walk to try to understand better his son (played by Estevez in flashback), who died during a storm while walking.

He has his son’s backpack, guide book and ashes as he embarks on the long walk. Along the way he meets other pilgrims from around the world, all seeking spiritual fulfilment in one way or another.

They include a Canadian (Kara Unger), a Dutch man (Yorick van Wageningen) and an Irish writer (Nesbitt) with writer’s block.

As you can imagine a lot of soul-searching ensues as they chat and argue en route. Estevez lets them take their time, risking the audience going on a walk of their own (to the exit).

The performances just about carry it through, from Sheen’s heartfelt turn – the film is also a tribute to the family’s Spanish connections – to Nesbitt’s jack-in-the-box writer.