Review of Milton's Secret (2016) by Teresa C — 29 Sep 2016

I was so happy to finally see this movie this week in a sneak preview in Hollywood. I've been waiting for it to be ready for prime time for three years. I've long been a fan of Eckhart Tolle's work and the idea that his wisdom could be portrayed in a family movie was very appealing to me. More people around the country and the world need to be exposed to the simple yet profound teachings of Tolle. And what better way than a family movie?! :).

I enjoyed Milton's Secret immensely. The acting was fabulous and believable. Donald Sutherland's character was very likable and witty. And, the struggles the central family go through are very real and relatable for so many parents, children and families around the world: bullying at school, fear of public speaking, financial struggles, career and economy dips, marital tension, loss of a parent/grandparent, concern for aging parents, coming of age for offspring. It's all beautifully woven together in this through-provoking movie that simply must be savored.

Milton's Secret is probably unlike anything you've probably seen before. There are no typical scenes in popular modern movies these days... no car chases, no violence (save for a couple of school bullying scenes), no thrilling nail-biting drama, nothing gets blown up... Yet, I pray that many families see this movie together and that it opens up dialogs about challenges nobody's talking about. In a safe way.

The grandfather character lives in the now, just like Tolle. And he's lived with "many Zen masters, all of them cats" (one of my favorite Tolle lines anyway). I hope that people of all ages will watch this movie and come away with a commitment to being more 'in the moment' and not being driven by their past or future.

If you've enjoyed any of Eckhart Tolle's wisdom, books and teachings, you'll love this movie. If you appreciated movies like What The Bleep (Do We Know), The Celestine Prophecy, or The Secret, you'll enjoy Milton's Secret. And, if you're simply looking for a positive, uplifting family movie that will leave a lasting mark on everyone who sees it, this is it.

Two thumbs up. :).