Peaceful Warrior (2006)

What a beautiful movie!

Fantastic!

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Extremely amazing film it introduces the real power of spiritual life for a human body when it comes to progressing from broke to success. When our brain is filled with rubbish then we have a lot of work to do to depollute it from bad ideas & evolve to wisdom, dan has neglected the spiritual life until he meets his master who teaches him how to succeed in life no matter what the situation is & progress to the point that a human body can do miracles like when his master was sitting in front of shop & instantly jump to the roof, this event has changed the dan's life which lead him to learn from his master gradually until he becames a great gymnastic champion. His master was an old man but his capabilities are unlimited, he has a spiritual power, he developed this power by doing a lot of meditation when he is working on a given job. Dan millman loses hope after an accident but after meeting the good mentor he evolves to the good life.

Based on the bestselling book by Dan Millman, "Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives." This is a movie I really wanted to like. The story of an elite athlete that overcomes a potentially life-altering injury only to triumph in the end through perseverance and inner-healing, based on true events? Nick Nolte as the wise teacher and Amy Smart as eye candy? How can you not cheer for this? Don't get me wrong. This is a decent movie to watch for an evening. It's above-average as a story compared to most dreck being thrown at us recently. However, the point of a movie where your protagonist grows and matures from a spoiled, entitled brat into a mature, enlightened warrior would be perfect... If the actor playing the lead wasn't so pompous and arrogant through the entire movie. Scott Mechlowicz as "Dan" fits the opening with his spoiled, naturally-gifted, "me-first" athlete perfectly. His arrogant elitism sets up the character as someone who needs to take a fall to bring much-needed humility. However, as the story unfolds, the actor does not become an empathetic character. He's still unlikeable. Question: If you had Ghandi, Buddha, or Jesus Christ inspiring you personally to overcome your demons, showing you ways to open your mind and experience "the moment" in ways you had never imagined, wouldn't that make you into a much calmer, wiser, more APPROACHABLE person? I didn't see that in the actor's portrayal in the end. He pretty much stayed the same throughout. I see where the direction and the story took us along that path. But I believe the actor missed in his portrayal. I guess that's my biggest issue with the movie.Nick Nolte, on the other hand, is fantastic as "Socrates". His "Mr. Miyagi"-themed character couldn't be better cast or acted by the veteran thespian. Grizzled, world-weary, and wise beyond his advanced years is perfectly woven into his character. Amy Smart is underused and fairly simplistic in the story. She's adorable, but the fact she knows about Socrates - who may or may not be real - and she is obviously part of the real world is a little confusing. For Amy's character to fall for such a self-absorbed Dan, even after he's explored warrior training, is kind of a stretch. She'd have to be smarter than that. And if she isn't, then she wouldn't have been part of Socrates' world. The rest of the cast is fairly vanilla and only there to extend the story.This movie has a great premise. It's really a college version of "Karate Kid". Although it must have been shot on a low-budget by all the dark lighting and painful rain machine goofs, and the obvious body-double on the rings, it is pretty enough to look at. Nick Nolte and Amy Smart make the story watchable but the main character's off-putting ego tarnishes the end result. I give it a 7 out of 10. It's worth watching for the message and for Nolte. Just don't expect Oscar performances by anyone not named Nick Nolte. I think I'd rather read the book this movie is based upon.

The opening scene of Peaceful Warrior hooked me into watching all of it. I had been dubious because of Nick Nolte and the whole spiritual angle -wondering how that was going to play out, but ultimately this was uplifting and inspiring and Nolte was very good as the grumpy, gravelly voiced sensei master.This is the kind of movie that you'd have to watch several times to catch all the quotable/livable meanings.Its along the lines of 'The Karate Kid' (but based on a well received book) following Dan Millman as a gifted gymnast bound for Olympic gold. Initially he has it all; trophies, girls, fast motorcycles, and wild parties but all that changes the night he meets a mysterious stranger in a gas station (Nolte) who holds the power to tap into new worlds of strength and understanding. Dan is sceptical at first but comes to understand that he has a lot to learn about... life.This wasn't a perfect movie but it was sorta powerful. The gymnastic scenes were well done including a freaky dream sequence. A couple of familiar faces from TV in the cast; Paul Wesley from Vampire Diaries and Tim DeKay from White Collar. Now I gotta read go the book. 01/13

I adored this movie, Nick Nolte's character was so wise, honest and a beautiful teacher. His acting was really good. This story made me cry, prob because it was very close to home but regardless I was so impressed that the spiritual adversity and enlightenment process was not over-done or cheesy. I enjoyed watching Dan 'Millman' grow and come home to himself, how his ego diminished and his spirit began to live again. This film is a reminder of how 'the moment' is everything and only through courage of the heart and true surrender to our vulnerabilities make us 'Warriors' I also loved the end scene when his fellow gymnast asks Dan for advice, and Dan realises that this was a reflection of his former self, showing him how far he had come now. A beautiful moment that gives us the feeling that he's now become the teacher, the master of himself and now in the position to be of service. He believes in himself again. Very clever movie I'm sure I will recommend to loads of people, I'm surprised I'd never even heard of it before. Must be very underrated.