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Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela
  • Release Date: Jan 14, 2005
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
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  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    Reaches its climax on the main bathing day, with a throng of naked holy men leading the charge into the Ganges. You would be forgiven for thinking you're watching a hot July day at Coney Island.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Carla Meyer
    75
    A snapshot of the festival, one that radiates good cheer and offers moments of true, godly goodness.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Crust
    70
    If the film offers any lesson, it is that nirvana is not easily attainable, so there really are no shortcuts.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    70
    Given the event's size and complexity, it is perhaps inevitable that this documentary feels haphazard and superficial, more tourist's photo album than analysis. Still, the glimpses it offers are never less than fascinating.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Dennis Harvey
    70
    Casual, engaging documentary doesn't attempt a Hinduism 101 lesson, instead going for an impressionistic mix of on-the-fly spectacle and human interest.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    67
    Remarkable and enlightening.
  7. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    63
    Mostly, Benazzo and Day leave us alone to take in the extraordinary sights and sounds.
  8. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    60
    As an introduction to this mind-spinning festival, the film gets the job done.
  9. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Phil Hall
    60
    A beautifully crafted documentary.
  10. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ella Taylor
    60
    An amiable and colorful, if dewy-eyed, documentary.
  11. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    50
    At its strongest cataloging the sheer sensory overkill of the festival -- the faces, the food, the many roads to bliss. Only the slightest historical information is offered and no spiritual background whatsoever.
  12. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Edward Crouse
    50
    A free-for-all doc that, like its subject, seems on several planes at once.
  13. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    50
    An overture to the subject rather than a profound study.
  14. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Scott Tobias
    20
    Inept.
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User Reviews

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User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. LuM
    10
    The film takes us on a journey that neither we nor the flimmakers could have planned for or anticipated. This is the beauty of the Kumbh Mela. After seeing this movie (several times) I would love to experience my own adventure at the next Kumbh Mela. Watch the movie now and you still have a few years to plan your own visit!… Full Review »
  2. shulya.
    10
    BeautifuL and colorful. Great sound track. After watching it for the 3rd time I can say it only gets better! Makes you wanna go there and experiance it yourself!!!… Full Review »
  3. AndreaS.
    10
    "Short Cut to Nirvana", the movie, is extremely informative yet with good sense of humor. I felt touched and inspired by its magnitude and simplicity.(...) Thank Maurizio and Nick for this remarkable experience! The message stays with you! Peace for all!… Full Review »
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