Samsara (2002)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Crappy film

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

A movie on the life of a Buddhist monk. Though he was sent to monastery when he was small, after going through three years of meditation and getting the Khenpo degree from Lama he starts thinking of life. Without 'living the life' how can he know the difference. Even 'Budha' had a family life before coming out of palace in the night in search of peace. Thus he comes out for 'LIVING', marries a girl of his choice and leads a life like any common man. He also falls for money, pleasure and finally starts feeling the meaninglessness of life when he gets a message from his teacher. He leaves his family and goes back to his old school. His wife meets him on the way and asks what about her life?? He attained 'realization' at the expense of her life. How can she leave her son and do the same thing what he has done?? What Budha has done for the people to realize the 'spontaneity of life' he could not understand. To understand that he has gone through all sorts of emotions...Then he realizes that his wife is having a better understanding on Samsara than him and living a normal life also one can attain spirituality.The location of the film, Ladakh is very beautiful. Maybe the government can use the film for Tourism promotion. The photography and music excellent. The starting scene has given a lot more promise than what followed. Even then the movie is good to watch as it shows 'LIFE'.

Wonderful original story, clear metaphors everything made sense. The films metaphors speak clearly, you can tell the director and crew put real love into the film. I really can't say enough about this film to do it justice so at least i'd like to say, great job cast crew and director of this film, I really loved it. I've been to Ladakh 3 times now and have been in the back-country where there are no roads and only little hamlets and small towns, and stayed with the people just like this, it is one of my favorite places on earth. Another bonus is Christy Chung and Neelesha Bovara are both gorgeous and the love making scenes were original and extremely sensual. I put this on my all time favorite list in between The Godfather and Star Wars. Although films rankings on my list may change, the favorites never go away. Anyway Thank you for creating such a wonderful masterpiece.

This movie is merely a postcard for the Himalaya. Ladakh is a beautiful place which is currently spoiled by tourism. This movie shows it as an exotic paradise for monks, but has nothing to do with any life on this earth. the seducing concept 'the monks who breaks his vow for the worldly life' sounds like an appealing advertisement concept, to please the western audience in search of some wise spiritual adventure... How can one base a movie, a 'story', to express a message. It's so obvious, and doesn't give any space to the audience ; perhaps the director thinks most of the people are dumb and need a lesson about life. When I see that, I'm just feeling insulted, and sad to see all this money spoiled... The director didn"t take act of the responsibility that he had by deciding to build up this exotic story which gives a wrong impression of what is buddhism, Ladakh and being a monk. If at least there was an artistic interest, a cinematic point of view, but here, nothing, no trace of cinema, only a photographed story... To give an example of a movie which a complete mind-blowing movie experience, I think the movie 'Why did Bodhidharma leave for the east ?" gives it with a huge respect to its audience.

I was directed to this film after reading a review of "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring Again", directed by Ki Duk Kim which is highly recommended as well. The love scenes in Samsara are gorgeous to behold and the female love/sex interests are very seductive. Monk Tashi is very well portrayed as so human and fallible as he leaves the monastery to pursue sex or worldly life. He was raised in the monastery so as his sexuality awakened he had to find out for himself. He rationalized that even Buddha was married before he was enlightened and so Tashi felt he should be able to know this too before he devoted himself to monkhood. Little does he know what is in store for this desire he has to experience...The tale is more of the excursion of a Monk and his experience of marriage, sex and emotions that arise than of his enlightenment. He found out what he had to know and paid the price. The film is lush with Tibetan style dress, architecture and landscapes. The love scenes are a treat for the eyes and the lead actors are very convincing yet more subtle than raw.Check out "Kundun" and "Razor's Edge"(Bill Murray)and "Master of Zen" as well if you are interested in drama as well as spirituality.