52
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 70The Hollywood ReporterRichard James HavisThe Hollywood ReporterRichard James HavisThose expecting a reflective Buddhist piece will be surprised. First-time director Neten Chokling's film actually is a powerful revenge drama.
- 70VarietyVarietyBuddhist legend brings warnings of bad karma in Milarepa, a worthy and engaging period pic from Bhutan.
- 70Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonWhat really reaches us is the collective presence of the cast, most of them monks and other acting amateurs. They seem uniformly imbued with inherent grace and effortless spiritual bearing. And their smallest of gestures exude the kind of un-self-conscious gravitas that constitutes all fables.
- 63TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghTV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghBased on the story of Milarepa (1043 - 1123), who renounced the violence and vengeance of his early life to become a revered Tibetan Buddhist saint, lama Neten Chokling's directing debut ends on a frustrating spiritual cliffhanger.
- 60L.A. WeeklyL.A. WeeklyEngages on a narrative level; however, Chokling’s direction fails to give the story any period texture or visceral emotion.
- 60Los Angeles TimesJohn AndersonLos Angeles TimesJohn AndersonIt's doubtful Milarepa will be opening in Beijing any time soon; all the more reason it deserves a look.
- 50The New York TimesLaura KernThe New York TimesLaura KernThere are stunning locales but not much subtlety on display in Milarepa, a straight-as-an-arrow mythical-historical telling of a mystic’s early life.
- 50San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco ChronicleThe spectacular scenery and compelling message counterbalance the somewhat plodding pace and wooden performances.
- 40Austin ChronicleMarrit IngmanAustin ChronicleMarrit IngmanThe strangest part is that half the movie’s arc is missing, but the credits promise its arrival in 2009 as Milarepa Part II: Path to Liberation.
- 38Boston GlobeJanice PageBoston GlobeJanice PageDespite timely and worthwhile subject matter, there is nothing very inspired or inspiring in what makes it to the screen. Maybe they're saving all of that for the sequel, too.