In the Moment
Dan Millman (Scott Mechlowicz) has it all; he's getting good grades, he is a top gymnast on course for a shot at the Olympics and he can have pretty much any girl he pleases. But there is some thing which keeps him awake at night and leads him to making night time visits to a service station where works a mysterious attendant he calls Socrates (Nick Nolte), who not only seems capable of the impossible but has a curious philosophical way. Drawn to Socrates and his wisdom Dan finds himself taking on what Socrates says about the only important thing is the moment you are in some thing which he finds critical when after a serious accident his gymnastic coach loses faith in his ability to compete at a top level again.
Are you looking for the answer? Are you seeking some sort of answer to what your purpose is? Or do you simply enjoy movies which through their words of philosophical wisdom both inspire and motivate you? Well if you answered yes to any of those questions then I recommend taking some time to watch "Peaceful Warrior" a movie about a gymnast who learns the importance of being in the moment, as well as a few other things. It is a lesson he starts to learn but fails to see the bigger picture until an accident forces him in to a deeper understanding and appreciating what living in the moment means.
Now I am not going to lie and tell you that "Peaceful Warrior" is a master piece of cinema, in fact it is a movie which is actually built on simplicity. The storyline of Dan with everything going for him from being a gifted sportsman and babe magnet to being humbled by an accident which forces him to reassess his life is not in the least bit complex. And the cinematography is pleasant but not contrived despite the use of slow motion to highlight the whole living in the moment aspect of the movie. But truth be told the simplicity of "Peaceful Warrior" and the messages which it strives and succeeds in getting across is enough, well of course everyone loves a story of someone coming back from injury and proving the doubters wrong.
What this all boils down to is that "Peaceful Warrior" is in many ways like its title as it is a peaceful movie, uncomplicated, unpretentious and simply simple. But it works because rather than making the movie be about this, that or the actor it is about the messages and a philosophy which has the power to inspire and motivate.
