Peaceful Warrior Movie Review

I am certainly one of the people who was really looking forward to watching this movie because the book, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, did have a significant impact on my life when I read it about 15 years ago. I was not disappointed.

I was impressed with the level of talent that was brought to it. I thought Nick Nolte was great as Socrates. I also liked Scott Mechlowicz and Amy Smart in their roles.

Of course, as a big fan of the book, I couldn’t help being a little disenchanted that it didn’t follow it more closely. I realize that was destined to be the case though. The key messages still made their way to the audience in a poignant manner.

I have to admit that there is much I cannot remember now from the book because after I read it I lent it to an acquaintance and never got it back. After renting the DVD I bought it and will buy the original book again as well.

The one missing piece that I had truly hoped to see on screen was the long speech Socrates made at the end of the book as this had the most profound effect on me. Then I remembered that Dan had also put this speech in another book of his that I purchased, No Ordinary Moments.  Here is an excerpt.

“…these concerns can monopolize your attention; you think, I’ve got no time for bliss right now; I have to get this report in by noon tomorrow! So the truth that sets you free gets buried at the bottom of the ‘in’ box. You look for immediate solutions to life’s little problems. Drowning in a deluge of details, you grab for anything that floats, when, with a simple shift of attention, you could enjoy the water. Right now, in this and every moment, you are engaged in a great battle! The shadows of fear and insecurity sing you to sleep, call you into the cocoon… Why do I tell you this? It’s to let you know you’re not alive! Not yet. Now is the time to wake up.”

As I re-read it I realized that the path I have decided to take in my life is not only in accord with the Hero’s journey but is also in harmony with the way of the Peaceful Warrior!

I highly recommend both the book and the DVD!