Eastern philosophy going mainstream

Rating: 7/10 (25 November 2006)

Those for whom eastern philosophy is a part of their world view will find the concepts of this movie to be simple (perhaps simplistic) and familiar. Those who feel science has the potential to significantly prolong life or even defy death, may be annoyed.
This film does address our aversion to terminal illness and death itself. Past lives, dharma, alternate realities, death as a necessity for life, Christianity, Buddhism, New Ageism, are all here.
The beauty of this film is in its images and color, the weaving of different realities and times into one fabric. Textures are used to visually illustrate the feeling of the characters. There is a continuity of the candles of a Renaissance throne room being as the stars of heaven; a nebula as the neural network inside the brain.
There is the perpetual juxtaposition of differing religious/scientific viewpoints. Overall a satisfying film. Is it like 2001: A Space Odyssey? The comparison is too glib and I, personally, would say no. This film is not about existential angst and the isolation of man; it is about death being an integral and beautiful part of life. Eastern philosophy has overcome the fear of hell and the hope of heaven and become mainstream.