70
Unmistaken Child: adorable, moving, bewildering, sad and, ultimately, peaceful.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
90
Unmistaken Child stands above most others in offering us an intimate look at Tibetan Buddhism in action, with no external commentary or narration.
50
The movie is a drama of faith, a Tibetan monk's search for the reincarnation of his beloved master Lama Konchog.
70
Wall Street Journal by 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.
90
Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan
Its privileged glimpse deep into unfamiliar spiritual territory has the strength of revelation.
50
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.
75
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.
50
The New York Times by 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.
75
I hope they have shrinks in remote Nepal, because this kid is going to need one. P.S.: The scenery is awesome.
75
San Francisco Chronicle by Walter Addiego
A compelling documentary.