Review of Kundun (1997) by Susan P — 11 Sep 2005

This is a visually beautiful moovie, but kind of light on story, surprisingly. The story of the Dalai Lama is a great story, and yet this film doesn't seem to care as much about the story as pretty costumes and scenery. I feel compelled now to learn more about the Dalai Lama's early years, as all I know is mostly from "Seven Years in Tibet" and a show about Tibet on the Travel Channel. This account differed quite a bit from those stories, and portrayed the young Lama as a spoiled little brat. From what I know of the Dalai Lama, this doesn't seem that realistic.

The weird highlight of this mooovie is this "oracle" guy who shows up to counsel the Lama every now and then about important decisions. He'd thrash about and hiss like a snake and make chattering noises. It was really bizarre. Every time he came out me and my boyfriend said, "Oh no, not that guy again!". It was funny but WTF? I don't get it.

This movie did a poor job of explaining Tibetan Buddhism. It's in English and for an American audience obviously, but even I had trouble following it sometimes, and I know a lot more about Tibetan Buddhism than your average American. The movie seemed to assume that the viewer would understand things like mandalas and malas and the idea of impermanance and the concept of reincarnation and that Buddha is not a god and so on. Assuming makes an ass out of u and me. Bad idea.

"Seven Years In Tibet" is a much better moovie. I don't know which film is more true to the Lama's life, but that one was more entertaining and the story was much better.

I saw The Dalai Lama on Larry King last night. King doesn't know shit about Buddhism either, and kept interrupting His Holiness and asking him stupid questions. I don't think the Lama could hear via the satellite very well either. The whole thing was really awkward and a bit of a catastrophe. It's too bad. Larry King is not the forum for the Lama. I love his writings, but I don't know that he is the best speaker - at least, not for a non-Buddhist audience. The Lama made some attempts to explain some aspects of Buddhism but didn't really do a good job, surprisingly.

Poor Lama. I love him to death anyway.