This review is targeted at two potential groups wondering whether or not to watch this film, i.e. for those who enjoy Spanish comedy, but are wary of the film's religious backdrop, and for those interested in the Camino de Santiago as an ancient Christian pilgrim route which still continues to attract thousands of physical and spiritual pilgrims every year.
The Al final del Camino is a Spanish comedy about love, sex and marriage, set against the backdrop of the Camino. There are moments when it is extremely funny, with some slapstick comedy that is well done and beautifully timed. The film benefits from Roberto Santiago's crisp direction, the cinematography is wonderful and the editing sharp.
The film has some delightful comic performances, especially by the two leading players, Fernando Tejero and Malena Alterio; they absolutely shine. Diego Peretti is suitably sinister and controlling as Olmo, a guru and relationship counsellor.
Being a modern comedy, the language is strong in places and there is brief male nudity. Many of the characters have a morality which is decidedly non-Christian, which leads to various sex scenes, though they are discreetly shot and visually inoffensive. If you are broad minded you will enjoy this film very much, but if you hold traditional values about sex and marriage, then this is a film to steer clear of. Depending on your point of view the film has a happy ending or a questionable resolution of the issues.
Those who regard the Camino as a Holy and Sacred Space may find the film offensive.
The film is shot on location and covers the pilgrim route from O Cebreiro to Santiago. The indoor scenes were clearly shot in genuine pilgrim hostals and have an authentic look and feel to them. Anyone who has walked the Camino Francés will recognise most of the locations.
Many people walk the Camino for spiritual and religious reasons. Be warned; this film has no interest in that aspect of the Camino whatsoever.
For those who want an insight to the Camino as a spiritual place, I warmly recommend Laurence Boulting's film, "Within the Way Without" (available on DVD) and found at imdb.1eye.us/title/tt0856280/.
Overall, I enjoyed this morally flawed film very much, but as an insight to the spiritual purpose of travelling the Camino, which is the raison d'être of the route, it is well wide of the mark.
The Al final del Camino is a Spanish comedy about love, sex and marriage, set against the backdrop of the Camino. There are moments when it is extremely funny, with some slapstick comedy that is well done and beautifully timed. The film benefits from Roberto Santiago's crisp direction, the cinematography is wonderful and the editing sharp.
The film has some delightful comic performances, especially by the two leading players, Fernando Tejero and Malena Alterio; they absolutely shine. Diego Peretti is suitably sinister and controlling as Olmo, a guru and relationship counsellor.
Being a modern comedy, the language is strong in places and there is brief male nudity. Many of the characters have a morality which is decidedly non-Christian, which leads to various sex scenes, though they are discreetly shot and visually inoffensive. If you are broad minded you will enjoy this film very much, but if you hold traditional values about sex and marriage, then this is a film to steer clear of. Depending on your point of view the film has a happy ending or a questionable resolution of the issues.
Those who regard the Camino as a Holy and Sacred Space may find the film offensive.
The film is shot on location and covers the pilgrim route from O Cebreiro to Santiago. The indoor scenes were clearly shot in genuine pilgrim hostals and have an authentic look and feel to them. Anyone who has walked the Camino Francés will recognise most of the locations.
Many people walk the Camino for spiritual and religious reasons. Be warned; this film has no interest in that aspect of the Camino whatsoever.
For those who want an insight to the Camino as a spiritual place, I warmly recommend Laurence Boulting's film, "Within the Way Without" (available on DVD) and found at imdb.1eye.us/title/tt0856280/.
Overall, I enjoyed this morally flawed film very much, but as an insight to the spiritual purpose of travelling the Camino, which is the raison d'être of the route, it is well wide of the mark.
