# Little Buddha (1993)

### reviewed by
Jon A Webb

                                    LITTLE BUDDHA
                           A film review by Jon A. Webb
                            Copyright 1994 Jon A. Webb

LITTLE BUDDHA combines the legend of the life of Siddhartha with a modern story of an American boy who is thought to be the reincarnation of a Tibetan Lama. It is an effective and touching introduction to Buddhism and an illustration of how the teachings of Buddha can have relevance in the modern world.

I found myself deeply moved by his film, though it has a number of flaws. Bertolucci unnecessarily prolongs the story by tripling the reincarnation candidates. His casting of Keanu Reeves as Siddhartha is questionable, for although Reeves is remarkably good here, he has established such a strong screen presence as a idiotic teenager it is difficult to accept him as the Enlightened One. (Although his performance is easily the strongest in the film.) I think Reeves is a talented actor who will eventually overcome this limitation, particularly if he continues to stretch himself by working with talented and distinguished directors like Bertolucci, van Sant, and Coppola.

I also thought the casting of Chris Isaak as the father was suspect; he simply doesn't have the technical ability to carry off this role. And Bridget Fonda was wasted as the mother. The film would have worked better if Fonda had traveled with her son, though I suppose the parallel to the life of Siddhartha made the role assignment inevitable.

In spite of its flaws, this film works. It is clear that Bertolucci has a deep affection for the ideas of Buddhism, and he has managed to integrate the legend seamlessly with the modern plot--so much so that at the end one leaves with the image of Buddha still meditating under the banyan tree, as one is meant to.

The Tibetan priests are well cast; they are exactly as they should be, particularly the round, jolly one. The young boy also performs well, particularly at the end.

By the way, this film is suitable for children in the same way that THE SECRET GARDEN (to which it refers) was suitable for adults. It contains no explicit violent or sexual imagery that would be offensive, and tells the story on a level that children of say six or more can understand.

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