Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan

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

Salon by 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.

Chicago Reader by Andrea Gronvall

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

San Francisco Chronicle by Walter Addiego

A compelling documentary.

The A.V. Club by 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.

New York Post by 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 Globe and Mail (Toronto) by 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 by Ty Burr

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

Washington Post

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

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.

Washington Post by Dan Zak

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

Film Threat by 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.

Village Voice by J. Hoberman

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

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.