Rating: 
Summary: This movie works on many levels
Review: This is a Bertolucci movie so it will naturally have his style. This is a different story so it should be told differently from his other films. In my opinion this is his best. It is based on a true story; this means he did not wake up in the middle of the night with a radical idea. The story is used not only for the individual incident but as an allegory for today's Tibetan (there are many other types) Buddhist way of thought. These are not two parallel stories in contrast. With out one the other makes no sense. The section in Seattle is filtered in blue; I may have some deeper meaning; I see the blue filtered scenes as the superficial environment. These differences help with the description of impermanence.
The Selection of actors is excellent.. You do not want the actor personalities to overshadow the character. It is too late for me. I will always think of Siddhartha as looking like Keanu Reeves. Just as with Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments "ASIN: 0792154649, the film story does not actually follow the written story of Siddhartha. However, as this is the one that I watch, therefore I will always think of this when some one mentions Buddha.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a Buddhist movie for Buddhists!
Review: As a follower of Tibetan Buddhism, I was so thrilled to find a movie that presents the traditional story of the Buddha's life while also giving a realistic portrayal of modern Tibetan Buddhism. I think a lot of the reviewers have missed the point of this movie - it is essentially religious, not a creative fiction to be analyzed on story elements. The portrayal of the Buddha's life was very accurate to the Buddhist accounts and very well done - I was especially pleased to see how authentically Indian the scenes were. The modern story may have seemed far-fetched to some, but the account of the monks' search for their reincarnated teacher was accurate and I especially liked how realistic the Tibetan monks were. The visuals from Nepal (particularly the Bodhnath stupa) and Bhutan were truly breathtaking. This is a very fine movie and I look forward to showing it to my children some day.
Rating:
Summary: lush, spiritually uplifting, fairytale of a film
Review: Bernardo Bertolucci's "Little Buddha" brings a modernity to the ancient story of Prince Siddhartha, who became the Buddha. "Siddhartha", by Hermann Hesse is one of my favourite books, so I was delighted to see the story reincarnated in film, especially by so adept a director as Bertolucci. The cinematography is absolutely captivating, and by the time the film has run its course, the watcher will feel as though he has actually visited these ancient lands. Woven throughout is the vital Buddhist philosophy that by remaining open and honest in our lives and pursuits, by exercising those childlike qualities, while standing inside ourselves, we will find that the most challenging and rewarding activity is to simply just be. My belief is that this tale is very adaptable and relative to most everyone, in the context that the Buddhists advocate moderation in life, or "the middle way." In this fast-paced society, we all too often find ourselves going to extremes or allowing ourselves to become obsessed with certain behaviours, ideas, people, etc. When I finished this movie I felt a beautiful sense of calm. It is poignant and revealing and touches not only the human spirit, but our human nature, of which we are not always proud. - Katarina Parker
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty but Pretty Disappointing
Review: Odd juxtaposition of suburban kid determined to be reincarnation of an important monk and the story of Siddharta Gautama, the Buddha, played by Keanu Reeves at a time when he was neither hunky nor intelligent-seeming. Siddharta's biography is only approximated, with plenty of details glossed over, such as his meditative confrontation of all his past lives, the very path to his enlightenment. This particular moment in the movie is a major disappointment. Lovely calm pace and luxurious look help make this a pleasant two hours, but don't expect to learn anything substantial about Buddhism.
Rating: 
Summary: DUDE! It's like, I got enlightened, and stuff.
Review: Keanu's blank expression and surfer abs may be a pleasant to look at, but they don't lend themselves to portraying the Buddha. The storyline is slow, implausible, with boring performances by Chris Isaak and Bridget Fonda. Bertulucci isn't saying anything new here, and seems to think Tibet is a blanket answer to all of the West's troubles. I say, skip it.
Rating:
Summary: Underrated
Review: What a work! I am honoured to have witnessed such a beautiful story so well crafted and beautifully told. Delicious!
Rating:
Summary: A movie that brings out the Little Buddha in You.
Review: i watched The Last Emperor when i was very young and the film did n't really leave a very deep impression..but i bet it was a very good movie indeed, as it was a award winning movie with many praises from movie critics. But in my opinion, Little Buddha is one a greatest movie ever made..the soundtrack..the screenplay..the effects..are superbly done. The movie has had me captivated since the very first scene. Words just ain't enough to explain the beauty of this movie..watch it with an open heart and it will certainly bring out the little Buddha in you. Two Thumbs for Bernada Bertolucci!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Are you enlightened?
Review: I won't claim to be a movie critic, or a well versed person. However I do know what I like. When it comes to the Spiritual Path of Enlightenment, I found this movie more than adequate to fulfill that mission. It's not a point of whether or not it was well directed or well acted (which I believe that it was), it's a point of being able to recognize spiritual depth within a work of art. A lot of people like to critize without really paying much attention to what it is that they are watching. But there are those of us out here who enjoy a good movie when we see them. And in my opinion, this was a wonderful movie.
Rating:
Summary: Visually Stunning
Review: This is one of the few rewarding statements I can make about this film. This is a great shock to me considering I normally love Bertolucci's work. A lot of people compare this film to Bertolucci's earlier masterpiece "The Last Emperor". I will try not to compare the two but rather try to judge the movie on it's own merit. First lets talk about the story. It did definitely have possibilities. But was only mildly done. This could of been another "Last Emperor"! It just seemed to move to slow and doesn't carry any "heart" with it. You don't care about the movie. You wonder why was it made in the first place. What is Bertolucci trying to tell us? Next is the acting. Everyone seems mediocre at best. Not one person stands out. Keanu Reeves,Bridget Fonda,Chris Isaak,Alex Wiesendanger,and many others are all mildly used here. Not one enjoyable performance except for,believe it or not....Ruocheng Ying! I know what your all thinking. Is this kid crazy! Who is that! But believe me,he's the only character who manages to carry your interest through out the film. Now for the directing. Bernardo is a one of a kind film maker,well maybe not exactly,see I always like to compare him with Stanley Kubrick. Here's why, each filmmaker manages to always transport you to another place in their films. They each create new "worlds". Watch Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" or "200l:A Space Odyssey" then compare it to Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor" or "The Conformist" or even this film. They each take us someplace new. Which is why I like Bertolucci's directing in this film. Everything is setup perfectly ONLY the actors ruin everything lol. If Bertolucci's directing weren't enough we have beautiful camerawork by Vittorio Storraro,who's work is always well done. Rounding out everything is the lush scenery. I would of never guessed that Bhutam and Nepal were such beautiful places. This is a must for Bertolucci fans. For the rest of you,watch with a cautious eye. You may be in for a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: TAKE THIS PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT!
Review: Is something missing from your life that you can not explain? Are you a soul-searcher? If yes, great; if not, would you like to try? Then this is the movie for you! "Little Buddha" is in a class by itself. It is most likened to a work of art. Allow me to use Da Vinchi's "Mona Lisa" as an example. You get a different impression every time you look at her! The same is true with this movie; the second (and subsequent viewings) are better than the first! Your faith is not a barrier to your enjoyment of this movie. This is a timeless, universal masterpiece by the Academy Award-Winning director, Bernardo Bertolucci. Please watch this movie when you are not rushed, preferably alone; then relax and take, no breathe it in. Keanu Reeves proves he is a gifted and dedicated actor as Prince Siddhartha, Buddha, the enlightened one. This is a prodigious story of his journey to enlightenment. Secondly it is also a story of the search by Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng) for his teacher's reincarnation. Here is where the children fit in and they do a splendid job, especially Jesse (Alex Wiesendanger.) Chris Isaak plays his unbelieving father. Bridget Fonda acts with grace and elegance as the mother of Jesse. To top off the great acting by everyone, the special effects are astounding! You are in for some amazing surprises; you will be impressed! Furthermore, the striking cinematography and music is a work of art in its own right! Buy "Little Buddha" and watch it from time to time when you need a fresh outlook on your life. Just like the "Mona Lisa" you will discover something new every time. You will not regret seeing this movie; trust me! Siddhartha says: "To learn is to change. The path to enlightenment is in the middle way; it is the line between all opposite extremes." A wise old musician speaking to his pupil passes by Siddhartha who overhears: "If you tighten the string too much it will snap; and if you leave it too slack, it won't play." Try this movie out on your heartstrings. Enjoy.
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