I will be walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain beginning next week, and so I was searching on my streaming channels for any documentaries or
movies about the experience. I came across the film El Camino, and even though it is not about the famous trek across
northern Spain, it is about a path of sorts. The film was released in 2008, and
is not rated. (El Camino is not to be confused with the upcoming film inspired by Breaking Bad which, unfortunately, bears the same name.)
When Matthew (Richard Gallagher) passes away, three of his
friends come together at the memorial services hosted by Matthew’s family. Having
known Matthew in different periods of his life, they don’t seem to have much in
common. Elliot (Leo Fitzpatrick) was a childhood friend while the two boys were
in foster care, Lily (Elisabeth Moss) a former girlfriend, and Gray
(Christopher Denham), another friend made along the pathways of life.
Gray decides to take some of Matthew’s ashes to Mexico’s
coast to scatter across the ocean waves, and Lily and Elliot join him. The trio
takes off in a station wagon with Elliot mostly footing the bill for this road
trip. As the journey continues, they learn about each other, the type of
relationship each had with Matthew and come to a tentative respect for one
another.
I enjoyed the film even though it wasn’t what I had been
looking for. I think sometimes friends know each other better than family
members. When someone grows and
changes, it can leave family behind. The people who know us best then are the
friends we’ve formed relationships with along the way. This is no less true of
this trio and their friend who has left too soon.
Have you seen this film or one like it? El Camino is an independent film. The trailer will give you an idea of the
characters’ journey in the film.
Signing off then, until I return from my personal Camino. As always, thanks for reading and commenting.
