Unmistaken Child

Salon.com Andrew O'Hehir

Unmistaken Child stands above most others in offering us an intimate look at Tibetan Buddhism in action, with no external commentary or narration.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

Its privileged glimpse deep into unfamiliar spiritual territory has the strength of revelation.

Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall

Films that address faith and love as eloquently as this moving 2008 documentary are rare.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen

This documentary is only partly a story of the chosen one; mainly, and more intriguingly, it's a chronicle of the choosing one, of the nervous young monk charged with the job of leading the search party.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

Unmistaken Child stands as a window on a beautiful and mysterious world. The questions it leaves hanging are for us to untangle.

San Francisco Chronicle Walter Addiego

A compelling documentary.

New York Post V.A. Musetto

I hope they have shrinks in remote Nepal, because this kid is going to need one. P.S.: The scenery is awesome.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

Baratz’s apparent willingness to accept everything at face value papers over some of the more troubling aspects of Tenzin’s mission, but Unmistaken Child allows the mysteries of the process to be preserved without judgment.

Washington Post Dan Zak

Unmistaken Child: adorable, moving, bewildering, sad and, ultimately, peaceful.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Seldom has a film presented such a richly ambiguous juxtaposition of modernity (among the toys showered on the boy is a really cool radio-controlled helicopter), ancient mindset and, to be sure, possible miraculousness.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Baratz doesn't ask any of the obvious questions, preferring to observe uncritically, and if you can do the same, you may find Unmistaken Child worth seeing. I could not, and grew restless.

Film Threat Phil Hall

Although the film is handsomely filmed and features a surprisingly frank view of the political machinations within the upper ranks of Tibetan Buddhism – even the Dalai Lama comes across as a bit of a wheeler-dealer – Unmistaken Child is more than a little disappointing.

The New York Times Stephen Holden

The beauty of the landscape and the monk’s sweetness, humility and good humor evoke a plane of existence, at once elevated and austere, that is humbling to contemplate. That said, Unmistaken Child offers no scholarly perspective on Tibetan Buddhism and leaves fundamental questions unanswered.

Village Voice J. Hoberman

The movie is a drama of faith, a Tibetan monk's search for the reincarnation of his beloved master Lama Konchog.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Who knew reincarnation could be such a lovely snooze?