Review of The Gardener (2012) by James H — 13 Nov 2013

A poetic, artistic, and insightful look into religion and it's role in society. The film follows the director and his son as they traverse the Baha'i Shrines in Haifa and Akka, Israel. One, an agnostic optimist about religion and it's potential power to transform society, and the other an agnostic/atheist pessimist who argues all religions start good but become corrupt and a detriment to societies advancement.

The visuals were breathtaking, and although the film has a low-budget feel, it sinks in on you halfway through that this style was indeed the best way to portray a comfortable and casual look into spiritual and social concepts. The filming style leaves plenty of breaks from content for the audience to reflect on the dialogue.

Those who will get most out of the film are those looking for a thought provoking and artistic look into religion. If you get bored easily from a film that doesn't have non-stop action, it isn't for you.

As a Baha'i I was most impressed by the filmmaker's ability to select many excellent characteristics of the Faith to portray while not being a Baha'i himself.