Movie Notes: Peaceful Warrior
= 2 stars
Starring Nick Nolte, Scott Mechlowicz, Amy Smart
Directed by Victor Salva
Tanja really wanted to see this flick. I read the Dan Millman book Way of the Peaceful Warrior back in the ‘90s and vaguely remembered it as some kind of self-motivating-new-agey coming-of-age type thing.
The movie is pretty much that in a nutshell, with Nick Nolte as a serene philosopher type, helping gymnast Dan get over his arrogance so he can achieve his goals. Other than Dan however, none of the characters are fleshed out or explained. You never find out what’s the deal with Socrates (Why does he work in a gas station? Where did he get “enlightened”?) and love interest Joy spends most of the film literally running away from Dan. Before the film, we spent the day poking around Berkeley, where the film takes place, so that was a nice touch. You get to see the campus and the iconic clock tower plays a part.
I can’t say I really recommend Peaceful Warrior, but I did enjoy it more than I thought I would. It might make a decent rental for someone who’s receptive to psychobabble and Zen-like inspiration. If you get off on dialogue like “There is no starting and ending, there is only doing,” or being in the moment as opposed to the past or the future, this may be your cup of tea. Just imagine Coach Carter crossed with What the Bleep Do We Know? and that should prep you enough.