Kiss the Sky

Kiss the Sky is a 1998 film directed by Roger Young and starring William Petersen, Gary Cole, and Sheryl Lee. It is a drama that follows the lives of two friends who go on a drugs and alcohol-fueled adventure in the jungles of Peru, hoping to find a spiritual awakening.

The story centers around two middle-aged friends, Jeffrey and Nick, who are stuck in a rut and looking for a change in their lives. Jeffrey, played by Petersen, is a successful but dissatisfied lawyer who is struggling with his marriage and his relationship with his son. Nick, played by Cole, is a free-spirited musician who is coming to terms with his own mortality after being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

In an attempt to escape their problems and find some meaning in their lives, the two friends decide to embark on a journey to Peru, where they plan to take a powerful hallucinogenic drug called ayahuasca, which is said to have transformative and healing properties. They are accompanied by a young shaman, Diego, played by Juan Diego Botto, who is an expert in the use of ayahuasca.

As they journey into the Peruvian jungle, the group encounters various challenges and dangers, including drug cartels, corrupt police officers, and hostile indigenous tribes. Despite the dangers, they press on, determined to find the elusive spiritual awakening that they seek.

Along the way, they encounter a woman named Marlene, played by Sheryl Lee, who is also searching for the same thing. Marlene is a troubled soul who has suffered great trauma in her life and hopes to find healing and redemption through the use of ayahuasca.

The film is a powerful exploration of the themes of spirituality, redemption, and the search for meaning in life. The characters are complex and flawed, and their journeys are fraught with danger and uncertainty. The lush and exotic setting of the Peruvian jungle also adds another layer of intrigue and mystique to the story.

The performances of the three leads are strong and impactful, with Petersen and Cole delivering nuanced and soulful performances as the two lifelong friends. Sheryl Lee is also excellent as the troubled and enigmatic Marlene, bringing depth and complexity to a challenging role.

Overall, Kiss the Sky is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that explores some of the deepest questions of the human experience. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.