In Dan Millman's autobiographical novel "Way of the Peaceful Warrior," an ultracompetitive gymnast finds the key to enlightenment in an unlikely setting: a Berkeley gas station. There's no question that legions of Millman's fans will embrace this film version of the 25-year-old best-seller. [...] in adapting the first two-thirds of the book, director Victor Salva and writer Kevin Berhardt clearly aimed to do more than preach to the personal growth/self-realization choir; for the most part they avoid self¬congratulatory New Age philosophizing and focus on character.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.