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Travellers & Magicians
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 10 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama | Foreign
Written by: Khyentse Norbu
Directed by: Khyentse Norbu
Release Date:
Theatrical: January 28, 2005
DVD: October 25, 2005
Running Time: 108 minutes, Color
Origin: Australia / Bhutan
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Tsewang Dandup, Sonam Lhamo, Lhakpa Dorji, Deki Yangzom, and Sonam Kinga
Two men, two women, two journeys are woven into an intricate tapestry of desires as Travellers and Magicians takes us on an adventurous emotional tour through the heartland of Bhutanese Buddhist culture. (Zeitgeist Films)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: The Cup
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site Official Distributor Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
New York Post V.A. Musetto
Delightful performances are delivered by all in this ingenious work of cinema that is worth seeing if only for its glorious views of the Himalayas.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea
Fulfills the promise of its title: It's transporting, it's magical.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
To watch this movie is to be moved not only by an affecting, warmly spirited yarn, but also by the wisdom that seems to waft to us directly from those snow-capped peaks.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
A warm, embracing film of transcendent beauty and spirituality.
Read Full Review >Salon.com Andrew O'Hehir
It isn't going anywhere, but the journey is highly entertaining.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen
With its intricate design, sly humour and timely theme, Travellers and Magicians is a lot more than just a travelogue.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Dave Kehr
As he did in "The Cup," Mr. Norbu provides a lot of ingratiating comic moments. His Buddhism is the laughing, playful kind, and does not ask the Western audience - for whom the film is clearly intended - to deal with any uncomfortably complex religious issues.
Read Full Review >Variety David Stratton
Although writer-director Khientse Norbu breaks no ground in unfolding two parallel stories about young men seeking fresh horizons, he creates believable characters -- and has the great benefit of living in a country that provides seldom-seen locations at the top of the world.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Laura Sinagra
In interviews, Norbu has compared the editing process to meditation. While his pacing echoes that of polestars like Ozu and Makhmalbaf, his edits make striking events out of mundane motions like hands moving under running water and mouths meeting cups of butter tea.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Frank Scheck
Mainly notable for its exoticism and gorgeous scenery.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly Chuck Wilson
In this lovely film, writer-director Khientse Norbu (The Cup) shifts smoothly between a kind of Buddhist "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and depicting the bonds that form among Dondup and his companions.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
A film within a film encapsulated by a clever and very accurate anti-materialistic Buddhist morality lesson, Travellers and Magicians feels a bit like Chaucer's Canterbury Tales as retold by Siddhartha.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
The (mild) intrigue of Travellers & Magicians is that its central figure, Dondup (Tshewang Dendup), rolls his eyes at Buddhist karma.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Ty Burr
Anyone interested in Buddhism and the chance to see the high-altitude, deep-spirited landscapes of Bhutan from a movie theater seat is herewith directed to Travellers and Magicians.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias
Unsurprising tribute to the sweetness of rural dwellers.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Chad S. gave it a9:
For a Buddhist film, it's sort of funny that the reason seemingly given for the budding globetrotter to leave Bhutan is to de-virginize a barely legal village girl. But all kidding aside, "Travellers and Magicians" casts a spell, or rather, the storytelling monk is doing the spell-casting when he's doing the allegory thing for his fellow traveller. The filmmaker wittily links his two storylines together with a clever example of reincarnation just to let us know that there's more than one religion in this world.
Tony S. gave it a9:
Deceptively simple -- it knocks on the door of your unconscious and goes straight for the basement. That's a loop way of saying that much more happens in the depths than is evident on the surface. Colossal soundtrack to boot with the overtone singing.
tony j. gave it a7:
This movie has too much thought put into it, compared to the cup, which was much more light hearted. my feeling is khyntse obviously is torn between east and west, and uses film to express his ambiguity to both cultures.its easy to knock western culture once youve experienced it yourself, but when you can earn a months pay for one days apple picking in the u.s.a.
Kunsang D. gave it a6:
I was somewhat dissappointed with this movie due to higher expectation. I live close to Bhutan and I had hard time relating to the characters. The story is simple and apart from the beautiful scenery and a background music, I really didn't find anything amazing. I may be feeling this way because I saw an Indian movie starring shahrukh Khan recently called "SWADES" made by the director of LAGAAN and SWADES touched the same grounds or message and the message was very well expressed. This movie is ok. Nothing exceptional. I think the "CUP" was way better.
Yeshe L. gave it a10:
One of the best films that I have seen in recent years.
Jennie L. gave it a10:
I loved this film. i found it inspiring and moving and revealing more levels on every viewing. it gives the appearance of being (and is)a light-hearted comedy with acute fellow-feeling and observation of humans in love,in jealousy,and in confusion and dissatisfaction. For one of the Bhutanese heroes the US is his Shangri-La,whereas for us (US) that Shangri-La may seem to be Bhutan,with its pristine scenery treated with ecological respect and its humane ethics and priority on 'gross national happiness.' A heart-warming film that touches unexpectedly deep places and is more subtle and profound than it first appears. it may change the way you see things. on the other hand,you may just sit back and enjoy it!please do!:) it is a film with heart,and we look forward to many more from its unique Bhutanese director,Khyentse Norbu,and wish that he is granted the finances to express his compassionate and unusual vision,partly informed by his lifelong training in and familiarity with Buddhism,but in no way constrained by that.
