Much more than a Brad Pitt movie

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 2002)

Maybe it's a fascination with the Dalai Lama. Maybe it's the breathtaking Tibetan landscapes. Maybe it's the lively characterization of the Tibetan people. Any way you look at it, in spite of its faults this film is an engaging, intimate portrayal of a young spiritual leader in his formative years and the people of Tibet in a time of cultural metamorphosis and impending political subversion. Brad Pitt's performance as the Austrian Heinrich Harrer is commendable, if not the highlight of the film. The extroversion of his character is believable, humorous at times, at other times painful. This is a story of growth, change, evolution and upheaval on many levels; personal, spiritual, cultural and political. Though predominantly Western in perspective this film still takes a thought provoking look at Eastern thought, values and culture.