The Salt Path

As Ray and Moth are on the cusp of retirement, they lose their home and savings in one unlucky swoop. To make things worse Moth is diagnosed with a rare and terminal neurodegenerative disease. In a "glory before death" type of decision, the distraught couple begins a journey on the Salt Path. The 630-mile trail runs along the English coast from Dorset to Somerset. Through good and bad moments including rainstorms, rude people, snoring, physical exhaustion, limping, humor, beautiful scenery, unexpectedly profound moments of insight, deep realizations about each other, and natural wonders, Moth and Ray discover a new definition of "home."

I believe deeply in the healing power of nature for body, heart, mind, and soul. When I go into the natural world, whether in joy or pain, I exit renewed and hopeful. All my life this has been true. This inspiring true story backs up this cherished belief. Along the Salt Path the wonders of nature are experienced in the bird songs, ocean swells, curious seals, sunsets, resplendent forests, and more.

The Salt Path is based on a 2018 memoir of the same name. Director Marianne Elliott relies less on the words of the book, and more on the actual experience of the trail. At this world premiere screening of the film at the Toronto International Film Festival, Elliott said it was challenging to film on location, but the results were worth the cost. Agreed, for the trail is stunningly serene and it speaks for itself.

The recent revelations about the criminal actions of the author, and questions raised about her husband's medical condition, have cast a shadow over both the book and this film. However, if we can set these aside, and watch it as a scenic ramble round Britain's beautiful south west coastline, it's a pleasantly enjoyable film, if not entirely original in its content, or moral message. There have been a number of dramas showing an individual, or, in this case, a couple, who, after suffering some personal reverse, decide to drop everything and set off on a long distance hike. Along the way they learn a valuable lesson about their own strengths and weaknesses, and the importance of the kindness of strangers. This is broadly the message of this film too, which ticks the life-affirming boxes, without saying anything terribly original. The reasons for them being in such a difficult position are skated over very quickly at the start - given the recent controversy that's probably just as well - though as a set up for the rest of the plot, it does feel a bit rushed.

Based on the true story of Moth (Jason Isaacs) and Ray (Gillian Anderson) Winn, who after losing their house in an unspecified court procedure, discover that Moth has an incurable illness. Homeless, they decide to walk from Minehead to Land's End. After many difficulties and adventures they arrive, but with a brand new existential mindset based around 'home' being not their old farmhouse, but wherever they happen to be.

It's a lovely story written from Ray's 600 pages of notes she wrote during their journey, and in a nutshell sends a message of never give up, always keep hope, recognise what you have instead of what you haven't.

Isaacs plays an excellent part, Anderson is good, but lacks the depth of acting needed to make the role great. There's some beautiful countryside and great editing and all in all I give it a solid 7.

There is no doubt that what drew me to this movie was the casting of Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaac. Two supreme actors who continue to enthrall me and entertain. I soon became engrossed in the story and was mesmerised by both actors, whose performances brought into stark reality the awful circumstances of their characters. Tragic, dramatic but heartwarming this is not a movie of sensations but it is gritty realism. Great production and wonderful images of the beautiful south west of England are a great backdrop to this harrowing journey that set a stunning contrast to the pain and anguish of the plight of the two. Hats off to Gillian and Jason for very fine performances and for recreating the accents and manner of speech of the midlands characters. This film impressed me and left me wanting more.

I knew nothing of the source material memoir (never even knew it existed), so that didn't color my experience. As a man in his early 60s, what I saw was an authentic relationship of a middle-aged couple embarking on a journey to put a crisis behind them, still deeply in love despite it all and there for each other, support each other and rest in one another. The screenplay might have felt meandering at times, but that's because it's not the three-act "Hero's Journey" we're used to. Moth and Ray are literally trying to find their way after their life is upended, and the characters they meet along that path are various aspects of life. If you're willing to let things unfold, highly recommended.