Peaceful Warrior (2006)

A chance encounter with a stranger changes the life of a college gymnast.

Director:

Victor Salva

Writers:

Kevin Bernhardt (screenplay), Dan Millman (novel)

Stars:

Scott Mechlowicz, Nick Nolte, Amy Smart

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Scott Mechlowicz	...	Dan Millman
Nick Nolte	...	Socrates
Amy Smart	...	Joy
Tim DeKay	...	Coach Garrick
Ashton Holmes	...	Tommy
Paul Wesley	...	Trevor
B.J. Britt	...	Kyle
Agnes Bruckner	...	Susie
Tom Tarantini	...	Thug with Gun
Beatrice Rosen	...	Dory
Ray Wise	...	Doctor Hayden
Scott Caudill	...	Thug One (as Scott 'Jesic' Caudill)
Matthew Prater	...	Thug Two (as Matthew John Prater)
Bart Conner	...	Himself
Jimmy Bradley	...	Commentator One

Storyline

Dan Millman has it all: good grades, a shot at the Olympic team on the rings and girls lining up for the handsome Berkely college athlete all teams mates look up to with envy. Only one man shakes his confidence, an anonymous night gas station attendant, who like Socrates, keeps questioning every assumption in his life. Then a traffic crash shatters Dan's legs, and his bright future. Now Socrates's life coaching is to make or break Dan's revised ambition.

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Plot Keywords:

comeback | cameo appearance by real life subject | olympics | gymnast | college | 

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Taglines:

There are no ordinary moments.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sensuality, sex references and accident scenes

Details

Official Sites:

Author Dan Millman's Official site. Official distributor's page for the film. [United States]

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 June 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

A békés harcos útja

Filming Locations:

Fullerton, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$80,602, 4 June 2006

Gross USA:

$3,960,414

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,693,440

Company Credits

Production Co:

DEJ Productions, FortyFour Studios, Inferno Distribution

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the opening dream sequence, Dan is wearing a uniform with the traditional UC Berkeley colors (blue and gold) and the script Cal logo. The opposing team wears red, the color of Stanford, Cal's arch rival since the late 19th century.

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Goofs

Right before the trophy smashing scene, when Dan is looking at himself in the mirror, the trophy and its reflection are different.

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Quotes

Dan Millman: The journey is what brings us happiness not the destination

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Connections

References The Karate Kid (1984)

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Soundtracks

PP1000
Written by Keith Prokup and Greg Danylyshyn (as Greg Danylshyn)
Performed by Rocket Air
Published by Why Why Why Music (ASCAP) and Honey Wagon Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of 4Music

User Reviews

Really good!

I saw this movie at a screening,(ironically at UCLA) and I really liked it. The only part I didn't like about it was the odd editing they did to make UCLA look like Cal. Of course, I'm a Bruin, so maybe I could tell the differences more.

The movie itself was sad, but at the same time, inspiring. One of the best parts of this movie is the student-teacher relationship between Dan and Socrates, his mentor. This movie hits home because it almost portrays the classic American Dream and the many people who chase it. Dan Milliman, the main character, is living the good life: he's one of the best athletes on the team, popular with the girls, still gets excellent grades. In all, his life is perfect. Yet, in a strange way, he's not entirely satisfied with his life, and you can see that the way he is living isn't good for his well-being. When he meets his mentor, he goes through an entire mental cleansing that is portrayed with humor and poignancy.

In the end, the point of this movie is not whether he reaches his goal or not, but the process of going there, and thats what makes this movie worthwhile.