Most of us have parts of our souls that are wounded or broken and other pieces that are still filled with love, light and hope. When a writer shares the latter through her work, it’s a blessing to those who experience it. Like George Axelrod, Ernest Lehman, Tyler Perry, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Nia Vardalos, Martha Williamson does that through her work.
Like the other ones in the series that really shine, “The Road Less Traveled” evokes tears, laughter and joy in the viewer. In it, the Postables embark on a road trip to try to locate a little boy who appears to be missing. They follow clues that the child sent in an undeveloped instant camera that he found at an 80s-themed party. Since it’s obvious immediately that the boy is safe, it’s easy to enjoy the subplots involving Norman and Rita’s concerns about their upcoming wedding and marriage and Shane’s mysterious texts from someone named Alex.
In the plot and both the subplots, the characters discover the amazing, restorative possibilities that arise from accepting their imperfections and the imperfections of those they love. And there are plenty of truly beautiful, heartfelt moments between Shane and Oliver, Rita and Norman and the boy and his parents.
The theme is also nicely summed up in the beginning, when Oliver says “Sometimes, it’s the imperfections in life that make life perfect.” Ironic as it is, that line is perfect. And so is the film.
Mission #7: Write Oliver’s quote on an imperfect scrap of paper; a smudged or torn post-it note would be apropos. Hang it somewhere that you can see it. Then, breathe, do your best, and smile!