Milarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint (Movie)

"Milarepa" is the story of a young man in the 11th century whose initial search for vengeance leads him to singular enlightenment as one of Tibet's greatest mystics. "Singing Saint" Milarepa was a sinner in early life, but he began to regret his action and became a Buddhist. Milarepa joined up with a Buddhist wise man called Marpa. The pair founded the Kargyupa school of Buddhism, and Milarepa became Tibet's greatest saint. He wrote down thousands of Buddhist songs and became a teacher of other holy men.

Bhutanese director Neten Chokling's fantastical biopic dramatizes the early years of Milarepa (Gimyan Lodro), the 11th-century man who would become Tibet's preeminent mystic. Born into privilege, Milarepa (Thöpaga) is plunged into a life of darkness when greedy relatives stage a power grab after his father's death. The young man learns black magic to seek vengeance, but some unexpected life lessons along the way steer him onto a more spiritual path. In the end, however, Thöpaga realizes that revenge is a dish best left unserved. His enlightenment guides him toward the path that will make him Tibet's great poet, mystic and cultural hero.

Filmed in India's Spiti valley near the Tibetan border, the movie's spectacular scenery and compelling message counterbalance the somewhat plodding pace and wooden performances by a cast of non actors. Like other aspects of the production, we overlook the problems because of the sincerity and import of the film's message.

If you'd like to learn how Milarepa got enlightened, expect the sequel in 2009.