Milarepa (2006)
Average Rating: 5.4/10
Reviews Counted: 29
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 18
Milarepa's confusing plot structure, simplistic message, and poor production values cause it to fall flat.
Average Rating: 5.6/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 6
Milarepa's confusing plot structure, simplistic message, and poor production values cause it to fall flat.
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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 547
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Movie Info
Bhutanese director Neten Chokling's fantasy Milarepa mounts and cinematizes an ancient Buddhist legend -- a moral fable from the eponymous monk's colorful early life. The story unfolds in the 11th century, when Milarepa (Jamyang Lodro) -- christened Thopaga -- unexpectedly loses his father, and finds his life plunged into a bleak hell. His vile aunt and uncle, Peydon and Gyalsten (played by Lhakpa Tsamchoe and Gonpo, respectively), seize control of the deceased's inheritance and force Thopaga,
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Cast
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Jamyang Lodro
Thopaga Age 16 -
Kelsang Chukie Tethtong
Kargyen -
Orgyen Tobgyal
Yongten Trugyel -
Dechen Wangmo
Thopaga Age 7 -
Tadin Gonpo
Uncle Gyalsten -
Lhakpa Tsamchoe
Aunt Peydon -
Tashi Lhamo
Peta -
Tashi Choedon Gyari
Zesay -
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Milarepa Trailer & Photos
All Critics (32) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (18)
Milarepa is a sort of Batman Begins version of the early life of renowned Tibetan saint Jetsun Milarepa (1052-1135).
Top CriticMilarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint, a picturesque fable filmed in the mountains of northern India, shows us how most -- if not all -- roads to spiritual enlightenment are paved with suffering.
Despite timely and worthwhile subject matter, there is nothing very inspired or inspiring in what makes it to the screen.
While the drama is rather poky, Jamyang Lordo plays the part with dignified restraint.
The movie's spectacular scenery and compelling message counterbalance the somewhat plodding pace and wooden performances by a cast of nonactors.
One tonic for a stressful day: Spend 90 minutes with an 11th-century Tibetan mystic who wanders through gorgeous Himalayan scenery
Earnestly capturing in spirit the emergence of a holy man.
By-the-book mythmaking: stately, straightforward and not too interesting. The story . . . falls flat on film, a moody, visual medium, tremendously difficult to rework into a mirror for introspective, spiritual transformation.
instructional value and exposure to Tibetan culture and values make this a worthwhile venture
Viewers with a pre-established interest in 11th-century Tibetan history should find Milarepa fascinating, but those without won't find much to engage them in this nicely shot but stilted biopic of a legendary magician-turned-monk from that era.
The first of a two-part film about the life of an 11th-century Tibetan mystic, Milarepa evokes a time when sorcery was a poor man's way of making war, and the sight of yogis flying through the sky was commonplace.
Buddhism teaches that suffering is inseparable from existence. Suffering is certainly inseparable from the experience of watching Milarepa.
For enlightenment on Milarepa's life, we apparently have to wait for the sequel.
Milarepa is surprisingly flat and unexciting.
First-time filmmaker Neten Chokling, himself a great Tibetan meditation master, has made a remarkable film using nonprofessional actors and a mostly nonprofessional crew.
Audience Reviews for Milarepa
His discovery of the teachings of the Buddha and his merciless repentance at the hands of Marpa the Translator, and his legendary secluded mountaintop isolation... all led Milarepa from the darkest of places to enlightenment within the span of one lifetime... These are parts yet to be filmed that truly breathe life to an inspirational epic.
For his story is as important to the foundations of Buddhism as the books of the apostles are to Christianity. Buddhists have long celebrated his 100,000 songs for in each, a lesson and insight is found. If anyone wants to really appreciate the story of Milarepa, they'd be well advised to find even a brief summary prior to seeing the movie.
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