The Salt Path

The only redeeming feature of this film for me was the scenery, as I am familiar with this area and have visited much of the coastline. I found the story itself rather slow and pointless. I haven't read the book but know others who have. Perhaps this is one of those books that doesn't transform well into film.

I thought the sound and diction were very poor, and couldn't make out around 25% of Jason Isaacs's mumbled speech. It should be possible for experienced actors to speak with a regional accent (in this case Staffordshire) without mumbling.

Both my wife (who has read the book) and I left the cinema feeling quite underwhelmed.

A tough watch for anyone who enjoys cinema or literature, THE SALT PATH is the big screen adaptation of Raynor Winn's memoir chronicling the walking holiday around the Cornish coast she took with her husband. I've had the misfortune to read Winn's heavily fictionalised book, and this screen version is even further from reality, heavily dramatised to the degree that another reviewer describing the events depicted as 'authentic' made me laugh out loud. Anderson and Isaacs are both reliable performers - although the former's Staffordshire accent is an unwise choice - but this is an extremely tedious watch, not particularly funny or engaging, with only the natural scenery to recommend it. Even worse, I saw this in the cinema, so there was no getting away, and it takes forever to end as well. A nightmare!

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.

Millions love the book, so something bad has happened in the transition to the silver screen. Great cast but poorly written parts and very poor ropey "northern" accents.

Jason Isaacs spends a lot of time grunting and moaning, surely the script could have done better for this fine actor.

Some scenes are just laughable (e.g. The "wild" rabbits), and so overall this film is a huge disappointment. Not inspiring, nor heart-wrenching, simply confusing with only muddled references to their financial situation and little or no sense of the struggle of the journey, mentally or physically (apart from the grunting).

I haven't read the book and so I wasn't able to "fill in the gaps" as I watched. My recommendation would be read the book that so many love, and give the film a miss. Unpopular opinion but there it is.

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.