Little Buddha

PG

Released May 25, 1994

2h 3m

Adventure

List

65%

26 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A Buddhist monk, Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), believes that a 10-year-old American boy, Jesse (Alex Wiesendanger), is the reincarnation of his spiritual teacher, Lama Dorje. Jesse's father, Dean (Chris Isaak), and mother, Lisa (Bridget Fonda), are dubious, but following his business partner's suicide, a transformed Dean relents and allows his son to travel to Bhutan. However, there are two other children who the monk thinks may also be the reincarnation of Lama Dorje.

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Critics Consensus

Little Buddha's storytelling may be too childlike to best service its audacious plot, but Bernardo Bertolucci's direction and Vittorio Storaro's cinematography conspire to deliver a visually strong epic.

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Audience Member

I really wanted to like this movie, but it is just trying to do too much and left me wanting more closure on the main story.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one of my all time favorites. It may, however, be somewhat confusing to someone who has no familiarity with the teachings of the Buddha.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Brilliant Film. Quite Possibly the Most Underrated Modern Creative Storytelling of Siddhartha and Valuable Insight into Tibetan Buddhism Concepts and Traditional Values... A Must See for anyone Buddhist or Exploring the Concept of Reincarnation ~~ #PurposefulSources #ProperPerspective #ProductiveEngagement #DivineBirthright #DivineFriendship | 777ADVENTURES

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent movie. As a kid grew up in Dominican Republic, from a the middle class (maybe poor in other place of the planet) I only can dream with the Asian countries through the dictionary or some magazines. We dont have cable, but during the 90' Bertolucci was famous for The Last Emperor (The Last Tango was banned and as a 90's child I cannot get any information) That make me imaging China, and try to figured it how to speak chinese. At the same time I have the opportunity to met taiwanese people and for the first time I have the opportunity to listen about Siddharta story then when I was ten finally they broadcast the film in the public television of my country. Now I am in Taiwan and my wife is taiwanese. So althougt Bertolucci have the Last Tango he demonstrated with the others film, he shows his capacity to be a good director.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

dan u

This movie started good, but then, it got quite boring and pretty unrealistic!! But I have to say I really liked the character of Lama Norbu! Thats someone I would like to meet in my real life!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Little Buddha reminded me of 'The Princess' Bride' but that it tells it's story in a more down-to-earth, realistic & emotional kind of fashion. Keanu Reeves is always a delight to watch as well.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Bernardo Bertolucci

Director

Keanu Reeves

Siddhartha

Chris Isaak

Dean Conrad

Bridget Fonda

Lisa Conrad

Alex Wiesendanger

Jesse Conrad

Ying Ruocheng

Lama Norbu

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

It is refreshing to find a heavy-hitting European auteur telling his story with such directness, and delightful to see a serious, artistically exacting film for children, even if you suspect it will soar over that audience.

Nov 13, 2017

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

In a quiet way, this gorgeous movies accomplishes many things.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 16, 2017

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Bertolucci's celebrated burnt-orange-and-burnished-lemon look remains handsome, and the story itself still commands some interest as a pivot into daunting material.

Dec 7, 2007

Full Review

Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

This Bernardo Bertolucci film feels like two films stuck together, one more compelling than the other.

Jan 11, 2022

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

An intimate, spiritual film from Bertolucc, which trying to combine elements of mysticism and Western culture.

Rated: B-

Jul 16, 2012

Full Review

John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

Excellent introduction to Buddhism--strongest portions are mythical excerpts of Buddha's life.

Rated: B-

Apr 4, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

A Buddhist monk, Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), believes that a 10-year-old American boy, Jesse (Alex Wiesendanger), is the reincarnation of his spiritual teacher, Lama Dorje. Jesse's father, Dean (Chris Isaak), and mother, Lisa (Bridget Fonda), are dubious, but following his business partner's suicide, a transformed Dean relents and allows his son to travel to Bhutan. However, there are two other children who the monk thinks may also be the reincarnation of Lama Dorje.

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Screenwriter: Bernardo Bertolucci, Rudy Wurlitzer, Mark Peploe
Distributor: Laurenfilm S.A., Miramax Films
Production Co: Recorded Pictures Company, CiBy 2000
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 25, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 12, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.3M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby Digital, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 70mm