Little Buddha | | Cast : | Keanu Reeves, Bridget Fonda | | Director : | Bernardo Bertolucci | | Studio : | Miramax Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | May 25, 1994 | | DVD Released Date : | March 01, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language), English (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | May 24, 2005 | | Summary | A great introduction to Siddharta for kids | Content
 | Some of the hippy talk in the top reviews for this movie is a little unnerving to me. I plan to use this movie to give my daughters a good overview of the Siddhartha story when they're a little older. I liked it, and - since I saw it on television first - got through about half the movie before I recognized Keanu Reeves. I saw it first on television in Malaysia. To give you a thumbnail of the values system in a moderate Muslim country: Deep Blue, the shark movie, was run "full blooded" on television marked as "suitable for all family members." This movie was run with a "Parental guidance - some ideas may be unsuitable for some family members." disclaimer. No kidding. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 15, 2005 | | Summary | Keanu Reeves: Worst Actor EVER | Content
| This movie was terrible. The story was great and I love the culture but the movie itself was horrible. The writing was cliché. Keanu Reeves was terrible, (well when ISN'T he?) The only good part of the movie was the sets and the child actors. The child who played Jesse was alright, the child that played Raj was the best, and the little girl was alright. I would not EVER recommend this movie to anyone. If you're looking for a cliché, horribly acted, Keanu Reeves movie, then this one's for you. If not, RUN from it at the movie store. |
| Rating | | | Date | December 26, 2004 | | Summary | Inspiring Story With Beautiful Cinematography | Content
| I have seen this movie several times and it's on my list of DVD's to purchase for my colleciton.
I thought that the interweaving of the story about 3 children who are candidates as the reincarnation of a Tibetan Lama (Lama Dorje ), with the Story of the Life of the Buddha was an interesting approach which I thought was executed successfully.
I also thought that the acting was very well done overall. On my first viewing, I would have agreed with other reviewers, that Chris Isaak seemed very "Detached" and it at first put me off. On further viewings however, I actually could see the subtle metamorphosis of his character.
He is an engineer who is not only skeptical about the whole idea of his son being a possible reincarnation of a Tibetan Lama, but is also struggling with intense personal stress due to the bankruptcy and then death of his business partner. Looked at in that light I thought he portrayed the character believably.
What's important to note is that as the movie moves on he warms up considerably to and has a deepening connection with Lama Norbu (whose character,is the central Tibetan Monk in the story, he is the one who is searching for his deceased teacher's reincarnation).
He (Issak's Character) most definitely appears to start to appreciate the Tibetan Buddhist ideas as well. In fact in a subtle way he seems to start to heal from all the recent turmoil in his own life from his interactions with Lama Norbu and the other Tibetan Buddhist monks.
I give this story five stars on many accounts. First, I love the story and the courage the director had to make a major film about something like this. Second, I thought the cinematography was beautifully done. Third, I personally thought that overall the acting was well done and that Keanu Reeves did a good job overall as the Buddha. In addition all the other actors, both the adults and children, came across very naturally in their roles.
The actor, Ruocheng Ying, who plays Lama Norbu in Particular was outstanding as well as all the Tibetan actors, many who I believe are real monks (Sogyal Rinpoche for certain is not only a real Tibetan Monk but the author of "The Tibetan Book Of Living and Dying".
Anyway, if this topic interests you, if you like movies like Kundun or Seven Years in Tibet, you will most likely enjoy this. If you are someone who has no exposure to Buddhism this is an enjoyable way to get a very basic idea of some of it's beliefs. Of course the Buddha's "life story" as portrayed in this movie definitely isn't meant to be a literal historical portrayal (particularly about his birth, with him walking and talking as a newborn).
Still, concerning the Buddha, his teachings are what matters and not the "cult of personality". The Buddha tried very hard to instill in his disciples that his teaching was key and that he was not to be the focus of their practice, he was an example of how to live and practice, not someone to be prayed to.
Namaste |
| Rating | | | Date | November 09, 2004 | | Summary | Beautiful Contrast of Cultures | Content
| Little Buddha is really two stories that are intertwined. The main part of the story is about a little boy named Jesse who lives in Seattle with his parents. Buddhist monks believe that he may be the reincarnation of their late teacher. They came to his house and present him with a book about Prince Siddharta.
As the movie progresses, there are flashbacks as the book is read to Jesse. It tells the story movie of Prince Siddharta and his journey to enlightenment. Siddharta is played by Keanu Reeves. Try as I might, I had a hard time recognizing Keanu. He was lost in his role -- only to be recognized by his eyes. In this role, he shines.
Most of Jesse's story takes place overseas in Bhutan, where he meets the other two children that also may be reincarnations of Llam Dorje. Prince Siddharta's story continues to be intertwined with Jesse's story.
"Little Buddha" will stay with you long after the credits have rolled, and also help you to appreciate the Buddhist religion. |
| Rating | | | Date | October 30, 2004 | | Summary | A very entertaining movie | Content
| Take it for what it is, a very entertaining movie, and you won't be disappointed. It does not proselytize, and neither should you take it as a factual-historical account. It is beautifully photographed. I really enjoyed the scenery and architecture. The story itself is riveting, and very touching. This is one DVD that belongs in your collection. |
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