Okay, since the destination is preordained, what does the script do en route? Estevez's answer is two-fold: minor episodic adventures + incessantly repeated montages.

Estevez takes full advantage of the beautiful mountain scenery, dramatic skies and ancient architecture to give us moments of quiet wonder.

Heartfelt if occasionally plodding.

"The Way" proves a low-key project, ignoring sex and violence and instead looking at a slow growth that happens by taking a break from rigid schedules and predictable days.