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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Enlightenment Guaranteed
EMAILPRINTCapitol Entertainment
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 7 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 16 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by:
Doris Dörrie
Ruth Stadler
Directed by: Doris Dörrie
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 8, 2001
DVD: September 24, 2002
Running Time: 109 minutes, Color
Origin: Germany
Language(s): German (with English subtitles)
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Uwe Ochsenknecht, Gustav-Peter Wöhler, Petra Zieser, Ulrike Kriener, and Anica Dobra
The adventures of two brothers who travel from Munich to Japan for a retreat in a Buddhist monastery.
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
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...
Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
As funny as it is nourishing, and it has stellar performances from Uwe Ochsenknecht and Gustav Peter Wohler, who play off each other like Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
Enlightenment Guaranteed is a parable of alienation and rediscovery told with such affection, insight and visual elegance, it could never be taken as preachy or stern.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Bob Graham
It is a warm, closely observed satire of lived life, and it is a charmer.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Jay Carr
Likable, go-with-the-flow comedy.
New Times (L.A.) Andy Klein
It's an interesting, often worthwhile, film, but humor isn't its strongest attribute.
Read Full Review >Variety David Rooney
Ochsenknecht and Wohler are a strong double act, displaying exemplary comic timing and making the brothers a problem-plagued but likable pair.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Kevin M. gave it a9:
Well thought out day-in-a-life movie that closely depicts some aspects of Japanese culture through European humor.
Katrina gave it a 10:
The simplicity is amazing.
Yoon Min C. gave it an 8:
A quirky movie about two middle aged German professionals fleeing troubles at home or from within and seeking solace in zen Buddhism in Japan. But, there are many misadventures along the way that illuminate interesting aspects about cultural differences, sibling rivalry, sterile modernity, and spiritual aspirations(and limitations). The movie works like a charmer because of its directness, its lack of pretension, a smallness that, however, never becomes slightness. Another example of how digicam moviemaking gains as much as it loses; though still not pictorially as sharp as film, the sense of freedom and rhythm of the minutiae is conveyed wonderfully. Kind of a like a grubbier string of Frasier episodes.
Nkole S. gave it a 10:
Fabulous truth of the spiritual path, that enlightenment is found in the mandane and the broken.
Ram B. gave it a 10:
I would give it a 10/10....a very well made movie with a handycam.....very powerful meaning....actors we too good! one of the best movie i have ever seen :)
Jadeangel gave it a 9:
Very laid-back, funny comedy that is also filled with meaning about finding oneself.
Susan U. gave it a 9:
One of the best I've seen in years.
