THE SALT PATH

A, 2024, 115 minutes, Colour.

Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs, Hermione Norris.

Directed by Marianne Elliott.

The depth of enjoyment of The Salt Path may well depend on how audiences identify with walking, hiking, or being observers and admirers of walkers and hikers. The Path runs along the south-western part of the coast of England, several hundred miles of walking, hills, beaches, crags and cliffs, passing through small towns. And this is where the audience accompanies the central characters, husband and wife of many years, Moth and Ray.

The strength of the film is very much due to the central performances. Gillian Anderson is the wife, Ray, Raynor Winn the author of the bestselling book on which the film is based (and she serves as one of the producers). Jason Isaacs is Moth, the husband, a strong character, but diagnosed with a rare and severe illness, impairing action in his life side, his limp, difficulty in swallowing, but a determination to live with but go beyond his illness.

There have been married for many years and the two actors are able to convey most powerfully the bond between the husband and wife, love, the devotion, the care, the mutual understanding and appreciation. This perspective is one of the great values of the film.

However, hard times. Business difficulties, unfamiliarity with the law and their losing their case, leading to the loss of their farm. They are homeless and make the decision to walk, following the path to Lands End.

As suggested, enjoyment of the film will depend on audience response to walking, identifying and sharing the literal ups and downs, difficulties and joys, encounters with cranky people objecting to them camping, friendly people who are supportive with food. The couple had very little money, their tent and all their belongings in their packs, and they walk. Walkers will appreciate their journey, hikers will be able to make comparisons from their own experiences. And the rest of us will be watching with some kind of admiration with moments of apprehension.

The look of the film is very British, the characters, the landscapes, behaviour in the towns but with some moments of exhilaration as, stuck for money, Moth being identified wrongly with poet who is doing the walk, his actually making a powerful recitation of poetry in a town square, and the admiring audience willing to add to the collection.

They do have a friend, Polly, who does offer some help, accommodation, Moth doing repairs and, surprisingly, Ray working hard in a shearing shed, wool collecting, giving them some money to establish themselves.

The film has been directed by Marianne Elliott, a director better known for screen adaptations of theatre performances of significant plays, Alls Well that Ends Well, Angels in America, War Horse.

The finale offers interesting information, the decisions that Moth and Ray make about further studies, helping local farmers, and the status of Moth’s health. Ray’s account of the walk and their situation was a bestseller, an inspiration to the many who have read it. And the film will and to this admiration.

1. The title, the name of the walk, South-west England, the coast, the rugged cliffs, the sea, the hills, the paths, the towns? The musical score?
2. Based on a true story, the central characters, their financial situation and the farm, the decision to walk, Moth and his rare disease? The episode on the walk, people encountered, friendly, hostile? The achievement?
3. The final information, Moth and his studies, health? Ray, her work, writing the book, success? Producer on this film?
4. The situation, business, the law, losing the case, the abrupt reaction of the lawyers and departure, losing their house? The meeting with their children, the bonds with their children, their studies? Homeless, the decision to walk?
5. The bond between Moth and Ray, the years of marriage, their love, devotion, care? The flashbacks during the walk, filling in something of the story? The scenes of love and tenderness between them?
6. Moth, his age, the visits to the doctor, diagnosis of his illness, Ray unwilling and denying? Moth and his medication, determination, not taking the medication, difficulties in walking, his left side, difficulties in swallowing? The prognosis? Episodes during the walk? Yet his continued determination?
7. Ray, strength of character, decisions, money, the maps, her making annotations? The financial situation, Moth and his grant, bank account, the withdrawal, lacking money? And the episode of Moth and his recitation in the square, the happy response, the collection? And later Ray giving money to Sealy?
8. The development of character during the walk, the indications of distances walked, Moth, agreeable and friendly, determined, his turn and illness? Ray, determination, support?
9. Cranky passers-by, criticising them camping, the proprietor closing the shop, no Cornish pasties? The sympathetic server, giving them the pasties, the scene with her boyfriend? Friendly passers-by and comments?
10. Sealy, her aggressive boyfriend, the invitation to follow, her walking behind, joining them, the effect on her, encouragement, going home, Ray giving her some money?
11. Polly, friendship, critical, supportive, eventually allowing them to stay, Moth and his repairs, offering them some security? Ray and her working in the wool shed? Payment and support?
12. Their adventures, the opening sequence and the tide coming in, its repetition later, old, clothes, washing, food, noodles or pasta, the bottles of water?
13. The episode with Sealy, friendship, her arrogant boyfriend, the invitation, her following, the walking and sharing, cabarets encouragement, her return?
14. Audience identification with Moth and Ray, the situation, the homelessness, the walking, the struggles, the achievement?