LITTLE BUDDHA
A film review by Michel Hafner
Copyright 1994 Michel Hafner
- Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
- Screenplay: Mark Peploe, Rudy Wurlitzer
- Camera: Vittorio Storaro
- Costumes: James Acheson
- Editing: Pietro Scalia
- Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Cast:
Keanu Reeves: Siddhartha/Buddha
Ying Ruocheng: Lama Norbu
Chris Issak: Dean Konrad
Bridget Fonda: Lisa Konrad
Alex Wiesendanger: Jesse Konrad
Sogyal Rinpoche: Kenpo Tensing
LITTLE BUDDHA is Bernardo Bertolucci's new movie (following THE SHELTERING SKY and THE LAST EMPEROR). The story is rather simple. The spiritual master of Tibetan Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), Lama Dorje, has died and ever since Lama Norbu is looking for his reincarnation. Kenpo Tensing, a Tibetan monk living in Seattle contacts him. In dreams the late Lama Dorje revealed him where he has been reborn. It's in the house of the Konrad's, Seattle, USA! So a few days later the Konrads, Lisa (Bridget Fonda) a math teacher, Dean (Chris Issak), an architect, and their son Jesse (Alex Wiesendanger) get a visit from Lama Norbu, his companions and Kenpo Tensing. The idea that Jesse might be a reincarnation of a late Lama is first hard to swallow for the sober scientific minds of the parents. Yet they allow the monks to introduce Jesse with the help of an illustrated book for children to the story of prince Siddhartha, who became known to the world as Buddha. To be sure the monks want to take Jesse back to their convent, but this is only possible after Dean Konrad has an experience he wasn't prepared for. He, Jesse and the monks leave for Bhutan....
LITTLE BUDDHA consists of two "universes." There is Seattle standing for the western world, dominated by technology and presented in sterile looking blueish shades. And there is the world of prince Siddhartha, 2500 years ago and today, colorful and juicy, a paradise, but also a place of suffering, decrepitude and death. The gorgeous images by Vittorio Storaro, telling us the story of Siddhartha every time Jesse looks into his book, are the main attraction of LITTLE BUDDHA. They have to be appreciated on a big cinema screen. Don't wait for the LD or tape. Especially the scenes with Siddhartha leaving his palace for the first time and Siddhartha fighting the demon Mara before enlightenment are breathtaking.
Keanu Reeves as Siddhartha gives an acceptable performance. Physically he fits the role quite well with his exotic looks, enhanced by suitable make up. For the ascetic scenes he went on a strict diet to become skinny enough. Ying Ruocheng as Lama Norbu is the emotional center of the story. His fine performance helps the movie a great deal. Bridget Fonda is competent in her role, but there is really not much she can sink her teeth into. Chris Isaak's role offers more possibilities, but the actor turned singer keeps his facial and other expressions to a minimum. Little Alex Wiesendanger looks a bit uncomfortable at times, yet he pulls it off quite successfully at the end.
Bertolucci gave up the idea of a realistic and detailed Buddha biography in favour of a more fairy tale like approach with "pretty" pictures providing a crash course in Buddhism. The movie is supposed to be accessible to children and capture the attention of grown ups at the same time. I'd say it does, but at the cost of simplifying things and, sometimes, even provoke laughter where laughter is not appropriate (especially in the scene of Siddhartha's birth).
Ryuichi Sakamoto's music is an asset to the movie. There are two main themes, one for Siddhartha (majesticly descending 12-note motive) and one general theme standing for the movie as a whole (I guess, but it's also related to Jesse). Strings, Indian instruments and synthesizer are the main ingredients. Musical highlights are (again) the scene of Siddhartha meeting "the world" and Siddhartha achieving enlightenment. The final scene features a soprano singing in a style very reminding of Gorecki's third symphony.
Bertolucci doesn't shy away from (ultra-modern) special effects (morphing and other digital tricks ). With varying success, going from embarrassing (lotus flowers growing in baby Buddha's footsteps) to near perfect (Siddhartha fighting Mara in the form of Siddhartha ).
LITTLE BUDDHA is all in all a bit disappointing. From Bertolucci more can be expected. This movie is no LAST EMPEROR and all it can hope for at Oscar time is a nomination for best cinematography and costumes/production design. And for these a trip to the nearest big screen cinema is worth its costs.
-- Michel Hafner Email: hafner@ifi.unizh.ch
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