Load of rubbish!!

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Dan Millman (Scott Mechlowicz) is an University gymnast haunted by fears and close to qualifying for the Olympics. He's reckless hard-partying young man. After a nightmare, he goes running and encounters gas station attendant Socrates (Nick Nolte) who may have supernatural powers. Socrates asks him "Are you happy?" He also meets Joy (Amy Smart) at the station. Dan accepts Socrates' offer to train him as a real warrior.Nick Nolte as a spiritual guide is mind-bender. Scott Mechlowicz is OK as a brash young man but Paul Wesley could be better. He doesn't have the likability when he acts like a douche. There is a lot of zen spiritual self-help Miyagi stuff being spewed but it overwhelms the movie at times. I don't particularly like the lead character and I don't particularly get the message from this message movie. It exists and yet it doesn't.

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.

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.

Nick Nolte - The Master. The legendary actor takes an unforgettable turn in 'Peaceful Warrior'. Portraying an enlightened stranger, Nolte delivers a mesmerizing performance that is masterfully restrained & believable. 'Peaceful Warrior' Synopsis: A chance encounter with an enlightened stranger changes the life of a college gymnast.'Peaceful Warrior', as a film, is meaningful & sensible. Kevin Bernhardt's Screenplay is well-written & offers moral. Victor Salva's Direction is, at best, sincere. To be brutally honest, the lead star is convincing but he can never reach or even come close to Nolte's performance. Nolte anchors the show with a performance, that remains with you even after the show has concluded. Nolte transports you to a world where magic exists, its beyond a performance of merit. On the whole, Nolte is the true Warrior of 'Peaceful Warrior'.