The Last Dalai Lama?

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is the subject of this documentary which is so messy and poorly put together that it feels almost like a waste of time to watch it.

First off this isn't really a great primer on His Holiness and is actually a loose sequel of sorts to a documentary filmmaker Mickey Lemle made 25 years earlier. Secondly the film lacks any kind of structure, it peters out around the 60 minute mark, comes back for a ten minute sequence on George W. Bush, fades out again and then comes back for some more talking heads and then finally mercifully ends.

It's very disappointing work from Lemle who has great access both to his Holiness and to several members of his inner circle and family.

The best parts by far are the parts where His Holiness talks a bit about his view of the world and also the politics of his life in exile are talked about a bit (only a very little, the movie assumes familiarity with his situation).

It's really too bad but the film comes across as a little stale and cold, completely unlike the man at the centre of the story.

"The Last Dalai Lama?" is a montage, a quilt weaved together with persistence, vision, and love. Mickey Lemle and his crew have assembled a cogent, logical, and moving tribute to a person of greatness.

The interviews work on many levels and the flow of the film is ultimately designed to get you to understand the importance of the message of The Dalai Lama -- that our true humanity is lodged in love and compassion. The Last Dalai Lama? asks the question -- Is this the last Dalia Lama? It also provides the rich background to this question and the struggles he and his people have faced with the intervention and imperialism of the Chinese.

This is a film that all should see. It is powerful and disarming. Especially disarming if the inclusion of former President George W., Bush and his role in celebrating this great man.

Just saw this last night and I have to say that it moved me to tears at times. The filmmaker has been shooting the Dalai Lama for many years and this is up to date with footage from his 80th birthday celebration in 2015.

It shows scenes of the Tibetans and the Dalai Lama going back to 1950 when the Chinese invaded the country, follows the Dalai Lama's visit with Chairman Mao, and his eventual escape into exile. His life in exile has been extraordinary and the question of whether there will be a 15th Dalai Lama is explored and unanswered in this film. The Dalai Lama himself has said he will not be reincarnated because he does not want the Chinese involved in choosing his successor.

The future remains a mystery, but one thing is certain. This man exudes happiness and peace, in spite of the genocide of his people at the hands of the Chinese. We have a lot to learn from him.

Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror.