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Milarepa
Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
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  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Richard James Havis
    70
    Those expecting a reflective Buddhist piece will be surprised. First-time director Neten Chokling's film actually is a powerful revenge drama.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Russell Edwards
    70
    Buddhist legend brings warnings of bad karma in Milarepa, a worthy and engaging period pic from Bhutan.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    70
    What really reaches us is the collective presence of the cast, most of them monks and other acting amateurs. They seem uniformly imbued with inherent grace and effortless spiritual bearing. And their smallest of gestures exude the kind of un-self-conscious gravitas that constitutes all fables.
  4. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    63
    Based on the story of Milarepa (1043 - 1123), who renounced the violence and vengeance of his early life to become a revered Tibetan Buddhist saint, lama Neten Chokling's directing debut ends on a frustrating spiritual cliffhanger.
  5. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: James C. Taylor
    60
    Engages on a narrative level; however, Chokling's direction fails to give the story any period texture or visceral emotion.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    60
    It's doubtful Milarepa will be opening in Beijing any time soon; all the more reason it deserves a look.
  7. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    50
    The spectacular scenery and compelling message counterbalance the somewhat plodding pace and wooden performances.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Laura Kern
    50
    There are stunning locales but not much subtlety on display in Milarepa, a straight-as-an-arrow mythical-historical telling of a mystic's early life.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marrit Ingman
    40
    The strangest part is that half the movie's arc is missing, but the credits promise its arrival in 2009 as Milarepa Part II: Path to Liberation.
  10. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Janice Page
    38
    Despite timely and worthwhile subject matter, there is nothing very inspired or inspiring in what makes it to the screen. Maybe they're saving all of that for the sequel, too.
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