Peaceful Warrior Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
A moving tale about the power of the human spirit, Peaceful Warrior is based on Dan Millman's perennially best-selling autobiographical novel, Way of the Peaceful Warrior. In the film, Scott Mechlowicz plays Dan, a talented-yet-arrogant college gymnast with Olympic dreams and a golden future. The athlete thinks he has it all: bookcases of trophies, endless friends, fast rides and disposable relationships. But all that is about to change. One day, Dan's world is turned upside down after a chance meeting with a mysterious stranger he comes to know as Socrates (Nick Nolte)-a man who holds the power to tap into new worlds of strength and understanding. After he suffers a debilitating injury, with the mystical help of Socrates and an elusive young woman named Joy (Amy Smart), Dan will grow to realize that strength of spirit is what leads a man to his true greatness. From a screenplay by Kevin Bernhardt, Peaceful Warrior is directed by Victor Salva and produced by Mark Amin, Cami Winikoff, Robin Schorr and David Welch.
| Scott Mechlowicz | Dan Millman |
| Nick Nolte | Socrates |
| Amy Smart | Joy |
| Tim DeKay | Coach Garrick |
| Ashton Holmes | Tommy |
| Paul Wesley | Trevor |
| B.J. Britt | Kyle |
| Agnes Bruckner | Susie |
| Tom Tarantini | Thug with Gun |
| Beatrice Rosen | Dory |
| Ray Wise | Doctor Hayden |
| Scott Caudill | Thug One |
| Matthew Prater | Thug Two |
| Bart Conner | Himself |
| Jimmy Bradley | Commentator One |
| Victor Salva |
6.90 out of 10 (3298 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Touching Movie
posted on 08 Aug 2009I 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 love this movie!
posted on 02 Aug 2009I have always been a fan of the book, and have reread it many times over the years when I need inspiration. This movie has just as much heart and humor as the book.. I highly recommend it! It is entertaining and above all hopeful. It helps teach the special lesson of living in the moment and 'being here, now'. I'd say that even though the plot line is entertaining, it's the inspiration it gives and lessons it teaches that are the real draw to seeing this movie. Dan Millman is a great author with a ton of books worth reading. 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.
Great message - fine movie.
posted on 27 Jul 2009The film is well done, albeit not exceptional. The story, however, is worth seeing over an exceptional movie with no message. I read detractors reviews who say the message is too simple. If that is the case, then I might take back my claim the film was not exceptional. Peaceful Warrior captures Dan Millman's brilliance by presenting the message of enlightenment with subtlety and simplicity - leaving the audience (detractors included) to ask "Can it really be that simple?". And the answer, of course, is YES. The opening scene will shock you - then you will be taken on a journey through one person's epiphany that is just as average as it is surreal. I know Dan personally, and this is his life. As a young gymnast Dan was headstrong, driven, and a risk taker with no quit - just as he is now.
Excellent movie for young adults
posted on 27 Jul 2009It sent a very good message without shoving it down your throat. I did not read the book this was based on but I will have to do that now. I decided to take advantage of the free ticket giveaway at Bestbuy.com and I am glad I did. Nick Nolte did an excellent job. I enjoyed it very much & hope that people get out to see it. I think it is a good movie for teens as well as adults. I will definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD. This is not a movie with action & adventure but it will hold your attention. To some it will parallel your own life and hopefully get you to think more about your actions, not just to others but ones that affect yourself directly. If it only helps one person make more of their life then it has done it's job.
It Didn't Achieve My Expectations. I am talking about the production, not the content
posted on 15 Jul 2009The first time I heard about this film was on a life-improvement-spiritual Website and got very interested in seeing it then. 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. We are in 2006, we have seen many of this kind of films, where human miracles are overwhelming. Many of them had disappeared from our minds, maybe too much common developments. 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. Sorry to give these comments to this film, but we're talking about a film here. Watching it on cable or rent it is much better. Believe me. I gave 4 points just for the message.
Touching and gripping
posted on 23 Jun 2009This film is about the encounters of a young and promising athlete's encounters with a wise old man.This film reminds me of Finding Forrester starring Matt Damon. Yet, I think it is superior to Finding Forrester, as it captured my attention especially the latter half of the movie.Acting by Scott Mechlowicz is excellent. He is able to convey the anger and frustration of his character fully. I am also very impressed by all the gymnastic moves, and the way that these moves are shot in such a dynamic, graceful and gripping manner.This is a touching and gripping film that you would not want to miss!
Excellent
posted on 07 Jun 2009Having read all of Dan Millmans books that I could find, I am here to say they did an excellent job on the movie as well as keeping to the story as originally written by Dan. The actors that played the parts were excellent and especially Scott Mechlowicz and Nick Nolte. My fiancée had never read any of Dan's books and was able to share with me all of the same information I had gotten years before. Please lets get this in the movie houses as we need more like these for our children to view. When you get a chance go see it go and enjoy. Thanks you all for this creation, keep up the good work. Maybe this movie will inspire the video game industry to create more video games with less violence following the film industry. One can only hope.
Very good, could've been even better
posted on 03 Jun 2009You probably don't need another synopsis, so I'll present this viewpoint....this movie clearly brought home its message, which I interpreted to coincide with that of many spiritual and religious practices - i.e. peace and happiness come from within and we must learn to live in the moment etc.. In that aspect, it accomplished its point. On the other hand, I felt some of the scenes were a bit contrived and over the top. Some of the visions, the "reflex" scenes, and some of the dialog were a bit much. Perhaps a little more subtlety would've made this a great movie for me rather than a good one. By no means am I an expert in meditation or Buddhist philosophies (or the like), but I have read a couple of books on the subjects. I view the matter as so pure in itself that any affected or overdone presentation of it (no matter how miniscule) gets me a little annoyed and makes me feel a bit unfulfilled. One might find a bit more fluffless approach in the book, Zen and the Art of Happiness, or in the DVD, The Secret Is There Are No Secrets.
The Wisdom of Socrates, application for our lives.
posted on 10 May 2009If you have never read any of Dan Millman books this might be the beginning for your journey. Peaceful Warrior has many gems of wisdom that can enlighten and educate anyone from their situation. The movie has a great cast, and inspires from the beginning to end. Take your children or a significant other to this enriching film it is a must see for those on a journey to become their destiny. We could all learn from our own Socrates (special teacher)in our life. Everyone of us can relate to a challenge, a trial within our lives, how we journey through these trials into triumphs can be an enlightening experience. Dan Millman's works explores these moments in captivating stories that enrich while entertain.
This moment is the only thing that matters.
posted on 30 Apr 2009OK, I'll admit it. The only reason I watched this movie was another chance to see Amy Smart (Crank) and Agnes Bruckner (The Woods). A sports movie about gymnastics would not normally appeal to me.But, this is not really a sports movie. It is a movie about spirituality. Not too terrible different from The Karate Kid, with Nick Nolte (Socrates) as the Mr. Miyagi character and Scott Mechlowicz as the student, here Dan instead of Daniel.It's all about finding yourself instead of chasing after what everyone expects you to do. If you just forget the past and future (taking out the trash as Socrates says), and focus on the present, you can do great things. There is Buddhist awareness as Socrates tells Dan there is never not anything happening and shows his how to be aware of the moment.So, forget the booze, and meat, and sex and you, too, can be great. But, who would want to? You've seen it before, but I really prefer these actors to the one in The Karate Kid, and you get to see Smart and Bruckner, too.
Movie of the millennium
posted on 24 Apr 2009If you go to the movies in search of entertainment, you must see "peaceful warrior", because after seeing it you may have a different point of view of entertainment itself.Nothing or anything can be more entertainment or fulfilled than wisdom, intelligence and positive energies combine. It is time for human kind to evolve and transcend to they're higher been "God" in this movie you'll be trilled, because it will show you how your life its a "copy", and the pain that you suffer on keeping yourself up on being that "copy".The times of our times are calling for spiritual transformation, this movie has an special invitation to a big sector of our society, with great intelligence peaceful warrior has a very straight and direct way of telling you " there is something much more wider and beautiful than what you think life is"
Provocative...inspirational - and goes right to the heart of the matter.
posted on 06 Apr 2009This movie is "Spiritual Cinema" at it's very best. You leave uplifted - provoked - inspired - and, yes, even entertained. This movie is not only about learning life's lessons - but also provides a path to learning how. A "must see" cinema - and, ultimately, a "must own" DVD. Like the book that inspires re-reading...the movie inspires re-viewing. Unlike "blockbusters" that seem to stimulate by way of action, or spectacular sets - this movie stimulates not only the mind but also the heart. You simply cannot leave this movie "unmoved." The movie's language and message is both plain and simple - and yet most profound. It reaches into the very soul - and let's you take it from there. You will enjoy - and it's one of those that you won't forget...
A real meaningful film
posted on 04 Apr 2009I have seen Peaceful Warrior three times and get more out of it with each showing! Everyone who has come to see it plans on seeing it again and they are bringing more friends. I think this is the summer time "sleeper" hit. It has opened in limited release on the West coast, but will get a wider release in the upcoming weeks. Not only is it entertaining, it is loaded with great messages without being preachy and saccharine-laced. The camera-work, editing, direction, and acting are all first rate. It is clear that this film is a labor of love as opposed to a labor of over the top, slam-bang, car chasing, explosion laced commercialism. If you are looking for a true feel good movie for a change, get out and see this one.
The one film, you must see in your lifetime - and you better see it quickly.
posted on 27 Mar 2009Absolutely shocking how powerful this movie is. It's one of the films that will be loved by people who can relate to it, and I'm one of them. Dan Millman is Rocky for new generation. And who would've thought Victor Salva, who made Jeepers Creepers 1 and 2, was behind this. I've wanted to see Peaceful Warrior since the first time I saw the trailer, I've read all the raving reviews about how amazing and life-changing the book is and I was absolutely hyped for this. I wasn't disappointed, not even once. I think this film's message is so powerful, and so profound that it puzzles me why this was so under the radar during it's release in the cinemas. I'm a 'sucker' for inspirational films - I think they're the one way to get people to learn something from them and take action in their own lives.Peaceful Warrior has now become one of my top favorite inspirational films, up there with Dead Poet's Society, and Rocky
One Word: "Yuck"
posted on 17 Mar 2009This film was SLOW! It just took two hours away which I'll never get back. I read all of the great reviews and thought, it would be good. PLUS, Best Buy had offered free tickets. Remember ~ You get what you pay for. This one cost more than it was worth.... 2 hours. I should have snuck into another theater but I kept thinking, with all of these great reviews it just must get better somewhere. WRONG! I'm sure it will quickly go to video and try to get what ever $$ it can from those sales after the audience and critic review destroy it. If you were planning to spend money on it, I recommend something with more entertainment potential and perhaps a cleared message, like TMNT.
It was free;;;;;
posted on 09 Mar 2009I went and saw this movie because I received free tickets. My expectations were not very high for I am a person without any goals, and or ambition. I don't believe in setting goals or having dreams or any of such nonsense. So I wasn't expecting this sort of film to inspire me. However after watching this film I don't know how it could inspire anyone. When the guy had the accident I didn't feel bad for him at all. I doubt anyone watching the film did. The dialogue was a total mockery. I could have written a better script "With half my brain tied behind my back" (Limbaugh). Overall the only thing that saved this movie was that it was free, meaning I paid nothing to go see it.
Most Excellent
posted on 01 Mar 2009The Peaceful Warrior is about surrendering to this process called life. It's about surrendering to this body and all that comes with it. It's about awaking to the fact that we are more than this body, and excepting everything that is placed before us as a gift.We are all on some track or another. To imagine (or believe) that the Divine can summed up as one track would be absurd. Switching tracks is the fun of life. I love the feeling of jumping into a new unknown reality. The Divine is constantly working through each of us, if we but look. We are the Divine, if we but feel with our hearts.We are all brightly lost in the dream. We must all overcome certain obstacles in this life. Each person's path has it's rocky patches. The mind can become mired in it's own processes. It's only with the heart that one can see clearly. Love makes it so.The Peaceful Warrior is an example of our true possibility.
Remarkable and Truly Inspiring
posted on 17 Feb 2009I had seen this movie come and go a few weeks ago. Suddenly, it came back, along with some interesting talk about it. I'm glad I saw it and strongly recommend it to everyone out there. Be warned, it will require that you concentrate and pay attention to its message. There are no hidden agendas here; it simply demands that you look at yourself, dispose of all the extra baggage that you carry and focus on the present to make the best of it.There are questions about how it all came together, and what some of the symbols mean. For instance, who is the old man? Is he a God like figure, or personalized intuition? Why did our young protagonist get a chance that others didn't? Where does faith lie in the middle of the drama? It probably doesn't really matter since the message remains the same: It's time to put a little more effort and truly go after what you really want.The young man in the film just happens to be an athlete who gets a second chance and blows it! Still, there is more to be discovered and pursued. In fact, it might not all be over. I loved the way "Socrates" interacts with his disciple, slowly teaching him the ways of knowledge and meditation, leading him yet not enabling and influencing his choices, allowing him to learn from his own observations and mistakes. In short, teaching him to believe in himself, yet never diluting the impact of the process, painful as it might be.The film moves very well, and there are moments when we are not quite sure what we are witnessing. It's spiritual, or is it paranormal? Is it a tale of faith, a ghost story, a love story, a tale of reckless youth. Whatever it might be, it's truly inspiring and soul searching. It will probably help a few members of the audience reflect on what is going on with themselves and the world around them, and how much power we truly exert on our destinies or chose not to have? There are inspiring films, and there are gems like these: movies that are entertaining, soulful, full of feeling, intelligence, and not in any manner condesending and obtuse. This is a film that trusts its audience and encourages them to search whatever, specific truth, they might be needing.A classic.
A quick question
posted on 13 Feb 2009I heard about Peaceful Warrior roughly four months ago. Well, I heard about it being made, then looked at the trailer and decided there and then it was a film I would really enjoy. The release date said 6/21/07 so i waited, yet it didn't come out in the UK. I then looked at the release dates and it didn't even seem to have the UK on it so now i just want it to come out. The DVD's on Ebay seem to say that they only work out of the United Kingdom so I'm not going to gamble getting one. This is really starting to annoy me as it is a film I have been looking forward to for such a long time. Sorry about the speech, it said minimum 10 lines. If anyone knows its release date in England, please email me it on samnike_2525@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks
Scott was great as Dan, Nick Nolte was miscast.
posted on 22 Aug 2009I agree with other comments that the part of Dan was filled wonderfully by Scott. I did not like the choice for his sage. which is is odd for me as I love Nick Nolte in about anything. 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. Not Nick's fault I am sure, but just not him. Otherwise the movie was enjoyable and had outstanding gymnastics. As in many book movies, it is hard to decide what to put in and what to sacrifice. I believe, it is always hard to follow a classic book with a movie, there should be Peaceful Warrior 2 and Peaceful Warrior 3 to do it justice in content! "What Dreams May Come" and "Somewhere In Time" were examples of doing justice to the book, but they were shorter books. So all in all, it was a good movie, but not as good as the book except for Scott, who fit the part perfectly. I would recommend reading the book to everyone.