Peaceful Warrior

Plot synopsis:
Dan Millman is a university student as well as a locally famous gymnast who dreams of winning a National Championship competition. He suffers from restlessness, and on one occasion Dan attempts to compensate for the restlessness by running along streets before sunrise. At a car-service station, he encounters an old man who seems to know more about Dan's problem than Dan himself knows, whom Dan later nicknames "Socrates". Dan is unsettled by Socrates' knowledge; by the fact that Socrates had appeared in a nightmare as a faceless janitor, clad in mismatched shoes (by which he is identified in waking life), who sweeps up the pieces of Dan's shattered leg; and by the old man's extraordinary speed, agility, and coordination. As a result of his exposure to the last, Dan seeks to learn the secret behind it.
Socrates, prodded by the impatient and defiant Dan, gives the boy a series of tasks and lessons. The central concept of "Soc's" philosophy is this: that one must live entirely in the present moment. Other ideas include the related notion that at no time is "nothing going on" and the idea that an appropriate time exists for fighting and another for abstaining from violence. These lessons are conveyed through practical lessons, long contemplation, and one spectacular mystical experience. Dan gradually learns to appreciate every moment; to view the journey toward a goal as more meaningful and significant than the attainment; to pay attention to that which he is doing – thus increasing his gymnastic prowess; and (to a slightly lesser extent) control himself. Throughout the lesson, Dan learns virtually nothing about his mentor, other than the philosophy, Socrates' belief that service is the most noble action possible (hence his choice to work as a car serviceman), and the presence of another protégé.
This protégé, a woman of Dan's own age named Joy, has learned and integrated Socrates' philosophy into her life, to the extent that she seems as wise as Socrates himself. Dan attempts to ask her for information regarding Socrates, but receives little. Joy treats Dan indulgently, though she evidently respects him.
One day, Dan drives recklessly, and his motorcycle collides with a car that ran a red light, causing his right femur bone to shatter. He is rushed to a hospital, where a metal bar is placed in his leg to maintain its integrity. As a result, his gymnastic coach believes that Dan cannot compete in the National competition. Dan, hurt by this lack of faith, recovers from the injury and resumes his training under Socrates' tutelage. Eventually, he is restored to full health and strength, while his coordination improves and his mind is set entirely on the present moment. He competes in the U.S. Trials for the Olympics and achieves a victory.
Slightly before the competition, Dan diverts the bus he is riding to Socrates' station, only to find that Socrates has vanished without a trace. At the arena, he attempts to teach his teammate Tommy what he has learned, but fails due to Tommy's emotional insecurity and lack of comprehension. Dan then is called upon for his turn to perform on the still rings. While he does his routine, Dan performs flawlessly just like Pommel Horse tryouts. Moments before he completes his routine, Socrates is in his thoughts asking him three questions: "Where are you, Dan?" "Here." "What time is it?" "Now." "What are You?" "This Moment." Dan then performs his triple consecutive flips, the Commentators frantically speaking, and the judges staring at him in amazement. He then dismounts, while the rings swing outwards, eventually touching each other. The screen goes black, leaving his last moment unknown.
The postscript states that Dan and his Berkeley Gymnastics Team won their first National title. It is implied at the end, in a postscript appearing on screen, that Dan of the film and Dan the author of the book on which the film is based are one and the same. It is also stated that the latter Dan lives with his wife Joy.

Tags: inspiring, philosophical, stupid

Review:
I was invited to a screening of The Peaceful Warrior in NYC Thursday April 13th, having just learned of this film's existence a few days earlier.I was looking forward to the film, but with some trepidation, considering that prior attempts at communicating spiritually oriented books or ideas had fallen short of my expectations and had fundamentally failed to convey to the audience a transforming inner experience; witness What the Bleep, Siddhartha, Little Buddha, and others.Let me say this, simply and directly.
You understand.The story, based on a book by Dan Millman, follows a college gymnast who has great potential but whose desire for success is one of the main obstacles standing in the way of that potential.
In its simplest message, our hero's real challenge is to find happiness by being present and finding interest and love for what's right in front of him.The film doesn't try to oversimplify the content of a spiritual path into a single dogma; there are many other seeds of thought strewn along the path by Socrates, each of which could have been the basis for a different struggle to transcend relative unconsciousness.For many years I have been convinced that non-religious spiritual thought and experience could be something to drive the world in a new direction.
This movie provides an example of what life can be like if we ponder these thoughts and implement them in our lives in a concrete and practical way.
This is why I see that The Peaceful Warrior can inspire those who embrace the possibilities which it offers to become peaceful guerrilla warriors, working tirelessly underneath the radar, changing the world.This is not only a good movie, it's an important one..
I've long been a fan of the book upon which this film is based -- Dan Millman's The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.If you've read the book, you know its central lesson is learning how to live in the moment.Filled with memorable aphorisms, the book is part novel, part autobiography, and part spiritual guidebook -- and I have to admit that I was nervous about how the book would translate to the big screen.But I was lucky enough to catch an advance screening of the film.
And for fans of the book like me -- and people who've never read it -- this film delivers.
That feeling is worth the price of admission alone.Peaceful Warrior is that rare film that manages to be hugely inspirational without being cheesy.
If you are at all open to the real story in the film, you will not walk out of the theater thinking only of your next snack.There is not a classic battle between good guys and bad guys here.
I read the book back in the mid '80s and at that time there was much I did not understand fully,I may have thought I did however as the last 20 years have bloomed in my life I know that my views were clouded by what I thought I knew rather than the experiences and revelations which come to a life consciously lived.That is what this movie is all about,breaking free from all the misconceptions we have and living in the moment,a moment that is rich with all the things we think are missing and in actuality are present in every heartbeat,so close and in our face that most of us miss it.Its what Socrates calls being asleep while walking around living our lives and missing the fullness of life which surrounds us completely.I saw this movie then re-read the book and while I would recommend the book over the Movie,if you go into the theater with a mind willing to see something new about yourself,as opposed to being a critic,then it is possible to come away with a new prospective about your place in this world.Of course letting go of what we call mind would be even better.If anyone has ever read "The Art Of War" by Sun Tzu then you know what the Peaceful Warrior concept is all about.
The greatest warrior of all is one who has resolved the battle within oneself.That is what this Movie is showing us and in my view the human race would be far better if all did this work.Very few movies actually leave you with something to consider about how we run our lives in the way this one does and if you are willing to be open to these lessons,then you will get far more than the price of admission.This one is worth 10 stars,for what it shows us about ourselves..
Dan Milliman, the main character, is living the good life: he's one of the best athletes on the team, popular with the girls, still gets excellent grades.
Imagine if we can get the kids of today to truly understand the lessons presented in this movie - it could change the world and the medium of film reaches enough people to do just that..
Frankly, Sting would have been a better choice for the casting of Socrates.My advice would be to read the book and skip the movie unless you "REALLY" like one of the actors in it and will see anything they make just because..
It's important to watch movies like this if you've every had difficult times in your life and have struggled a lot.
And the author of the book on which the film is based, Dan Millman , can be glimpsed for a brief moment as the driver of the car at the gas station when Dan exercises for the first time after his motorcycle crash.The motion picture was professionally directed by Victor Salva , he tries for profundity at the end and blow it.
Dan accepts Socrates' offer to train him as a real warrior.Nick Nolte as a spiritual guide is mind-bender.
There are too few, almost no, movies that feature the interior experience, that detail the struggle to becoming a real and better person, as Peaceful Warrior does.
Now, I know that there is a time and a place for a movie like this, but I wasn't expecting a two hour lecture / philosophy lesson- they should warn you that it's going to be a hundred and twenty minutes of uninspired dialog and repetition.
One left the movie feeling confused, certainly not inspired.I think the movie could have been at least average if not superior had the director and/or writer(s) taken more time to develop the characters and to clarify the direction of the plot.
While this movie is based a section of the book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" it touches you in new and different ways.
After you leave the movie you keep thinking about that interaction and how your life could be changed for the better.
If you liked "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" you will definitely enjoy this movie..
The story was a great one about Dan Millman, but if you have read he book, really read it, you will be disappointed in the presentation of Socrates.
Maybe looking for a couple of hours of inspiration, but I found a film that bothered me many times during the screening and made me feel uncomfortable for the production development values.
The content of this film is beautiful, (and I will buy the book that inspired it), but I got disappointed with the flat directing job; poor acting; the constantly choreography of the Director of Photography, when he was catching the characters' acting, others' reactions; playing a lot with "showing off" camera movements; poor editing; weak and predictable screenplay; the unnecessary repetition of sounds effects and "triumphal" music scores highlighting the emotional moments...that pulled me out of the film instead get the objective...it didn't touch meand as I wrote beforepoor directing work.It looked more like a "cheesy" Sunday TV film.
But when something as strong as this story and now the movie which was amazing, comes along that helps bring an individual into understanding the world around you beyond the veil of denial we all live to one degree or another, one can no longer live a life that is unconscious .
This is one of the few movies out there that will inspire you to make changes in your life and this film shows us that we all have the power within us to make them.
It's a good movie, yes, but I heard from a few different people that it's one of the greatest films of all time so I was expecting a life changing film.
What I got, however, was a slightly more depressing and less good version of The Karate Kid. Maybe it'll grow on me if I watch it again, but that's my impression so far.We all know that Victor Salva's a total creep but I don't think that makes him a terrible filmmaker, despite how creepy it is that he always shows young men with no shirts on in his films.
"The Peaceful Warrior" is a treacly, formulaic story about an adolescent college student who learns his buddhist lessons well (from Nick Nolte???) and must face the film's final test.
Based on a book by Inspirational Guru Dan Millman and beautifully adapted for the screen by Kevin Bernhardt, the story combines the best in sport stories with the infusion of spiritual discovery that despite the abundance of 'Hallmark-like' imitations, stands nobly as a tool for introducing young people to a journey toward self discovery well worth taking.
Director Victor Salva had the good sense not to push the story over the top, but instead to let his actors and situations grow logically into a practical demonstration of spiritual growth.Dan Millman (Scott Mechlowicz) is a gymnast bent on perfecting his skills to enter the Olympic trials.
Dan suffers a life-threatening motorcycle accident that appears to doom his dreams of being the finest gymnast, but Socrates helps him discover that living in the moment, giving in to the power of focus on the present, can result in overcoming the seemingly impossible obstacles.Rather than 'preach' these concepts, the story is illustrated by physical feats of gymnastics and by meaningful encounters between Dan and Socrates, and it is this technique that brings the film above the usual 'inspirational flicks' to become a truly compelling movie.
In 'Peaceful Warrior' Scott Mechlowicz plays Dan Millman, a world-class gymnast.
When a crippling accident may ruin his future, Dan needs all the answers he can get.Based on the book 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior' by the real Dan Millman, this film is truly an inspirational one.
What I mean by that is the lead boy lacks a certain depth and understanding, which I assume this movie's morals attempt to illuminate, though it seems in a way like trying to train pee wee herman to become an X-Men, his power will always seem contrived.For anyone with a reasonable understanding of some of the inner virtues of living ("meditating on a job, no matter what it may be"), this kid's "I need answers now" punk-hubris is difficult to watch, especially since he never really achieves any sense of humility, only through exhaustion does he begin to justly focus.I read the book years back, felt it was of the same caliber of cheese this movie genres, though the total unconcerned association of "Socrates" is in both the book and the movie, insightful.
I actually liked the movie more than the book.It's usually the other way around.
I really didn't expect much from the movie but i was surprised after watching it.It is one of the best movies i have ever seen.First of all story is great,and as an athlete i can relate to it.Acting is also great.I have to admit that i have never seen or heard before for Scott Mechlowicz (Dan Millman), but after this movie i can mark him as one of my favourite actors.As for the Nick Nolte (Socrates) i can only say that i never loved him that much.My opinion about him has changed after the movie.He was brilliant.All in all i think that this is a must see film for all of you who like good movies and touching stories.So if you want to spend an entertaining night get up and go to the cinema because this movie is worth paying some cash.
I hope that people will continue to have a choice to see a great movie such as this as opposed to the usual selections of gangster-car-chase themes and sappy love stories.
"Way of the Peaceful Warrior" is a movie for the thinking person.
I was pleasantly surprised that the true spiritual message of the book did not get lost in the adaptation, even though I did find the trailers & sneak previous of the film to overly-emphasize Dan's motorcycle accident & the overcoming of this accident to go on to gymnastic greatness.
The Peaceful Warrior is true to the book, well cast and worth the price of the movie ticket.
Scott Mechlowitz was an awesome embodiment of young Dan, and Amy Smart was the perfect Joy.I took three different groups of people to see "Peaceful Warrior" and everyone felt like they had taken something positive and strong away from the film.
I was moved to tears by watching "Peaceful Warrior" and had a big heart-opening experience of what it means to be present, to live in the Moment.All worries, fears, and petty anxieties just melted away and gave way to a feeling of infinite love.
It's a great story and this film tells it well, in a manner that's got enough gritty reality to connect with teens and enough "magic" to inspire viewers of all ages to see beyond the normal, to look at them selves and the world & people around them in a deeper & clearer way.
After reading Dan's "Peaceful Warrior" series, I have found that no two people will come away with the same feeling or inspiration.
If you enjoy this movie there are other books in this 'series', such as: No Ordinary Moments: A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life, The Journeys of Socrates and Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior..
A movie that not only entertains you but leaves you with deep personal questions to think about and new ways of living to possibly add to your daily life.
I traveled over 50 miles to see the movie and was not disappointed.When I first heard that Nick Nolte would be playing the part of Socrates, I was skeptical because he was not who I pictured when I read the book.
I GUARANTEE you will leave the movie theater thinking about your life and how important your existence is to others.Thank God for Dan Millman.
I am so blessed to have people such as Dan Millman write such inspiring books and make films that move my spirit.
With each person I tell of this movie, I feel as if I am making an impact on their lives.The vivid portrayal of details makes this movie draws you in, grateful for the armrests on your chair.I want to learn how to be a Peaceful Warrior, being in the moment, just like this main character and his mentor.GO SEE IT.
NIck Nolte played a great Socrates and Amy Smart was excellent as Joy. JOhn was excellent as Dan. I think the critics that gave this movie a bad review need to get their head examined.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior is my favorite book of all time, and I searched long and hard to find a theater that was actually playing this limited release film.
yet also not expecting people to love it as much as I do because I inherently am biased and have an appreciation for the story.I can honestly say that while the movie was not as entertaining and compelling as the book, it is not for a lack of performance or direction, etc.
Read the book first for the full experience, and enjoy the movie as a chance to review the story in high-speed..
But the moral of the story is to 'live in the present' and rushing the movie seems contrary to that.But overall, I liked it and was inspired by it enough to where I will be re-reading the book very soon.
Unlike those, Peaceful Warrior is filled with human achievement (gymnastics), and is trying to inspire you, rather than simply entertain.I don't think that this movie itself will change your life, but it might inspire you, or maybe re-inspire you, to move toward appreciating life more fully, in this moment..
The books outlining the Peaceful Warrior, Socrates, and others touches the heart and soul -- we're all on that journey -- it's up to each of us to tap into the true soul of who we are in order to share it with the collective consciousness of the world.The story has to be told in multiple movies.
The story line's integrity was kept acceptably well-intact, the acting was quite good, and most of the key message points from the book were well integrated into the film.Like the book, it's well worth reviewing again for the profoundly important life lessons it imparts.
For those you have not read the book, the movie is a great introduction into the concepts of the Peacefull Warrior that will hopefully open up a new way of looking at the world.
Thank goodness Dan Millman was able to get his book made into a movie...and with Nick Nolte, who was just awesome as "Socrates!" DO NOT HESITATE TO SEE IT!.
From the book to the screen, this movie captures all of the beauty of Dan Millman's Way of the Peaceful Warrior.
While the movie does not follow the book exactly, it artfully conveys Dan's story and its message of clarity and perspective.
For those who did not like the movie - please read the book.
It is a must see for all who enjoy seeing movies with a timeless message as well as a great story.
Like the book that inspires re-reading...the movie inspires re-viewing.