The Salt Path

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.