Review of Kundun (1997) by Ken B — 23 Sep 2007

Scorsese's biopic concerning the early life of the Dali Lama and his struggles against Chinese imperialism is a magnificent experience for the eyes, empowered by outstanding production values that emphasize both realism and awe.

Together these elements create a perfect sense of the isolation of Tibet both geographically and culturally. Unfortunately, the grandiose costumes and amazing landscapse leave little room for true human compassion in the characters.

The story is largely one to provoke cerebral analysis and philosophical debate as opposed to human emotion and personal experience. The acting is more than sufficient; the problem (if it is a problem) is simply that the script itself leaves us knowing more about the culture and the social/historical climate as opposed to the thoughts, feelings, and personal trials of the man himself.

Nonetheless, [i]Kundun[/i] is a eye-catching, thought-provoking experience, one worth having more than once.