Echos of Enlightenment

Echoes of Enlightenment could have easily gotten lost in a maze of contradictions and metaphors. However, the narrative holds the whole script together coherently, and the metaphors add deliberate depth to the stylish visuals.

Interpreting the concept of enlightenment on screen requires the finesse of walking the fine line between proselyting and sentimentality in which Coplan skilfully surpasses. Quite remarkably, Coplan's Echoes coaxes the audience to surrender disbelief and be drawn into a vibrant world of magical realism. We cannot help but recognize a part, if not all, of ourselves in Daniel Geser.

The performance of Daniel Geser is poignantly human; shades of pathos unravelled reminiscing of Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now! For good measure, there are sexual and violent scenes for universal appeal. Echoes of Enlightenment is an engrossing, post-viewing conversation piece, bridging pop-culture with religious classic.

After seeing Echoes of Enlightenment at the Telluride IndieFest 2002 film festival, I was impressed with the professionalism, polish and general look of the film. The story was compelling and interesting and the acting was strong and convincing. I was particularly impressed with Giovanna Brokaw's performance, which although a small role in the grand scheme of the story and picture, comes across very powerfully.

Overall, the film tugged on my emotions on many levels. That's always a good sign for me, as I tend to be a bit cynical about films of this subject matter. However, it was a well-told story with very important social and spiritual messages.

If I were to offer it any criticism it would be that there are scenes that could be shorter and the overall length of the film is slightly longer than necessary. In my opinion it would be a more powerful film if time had been taken to remove unnecessary exposition that doesn't drive the story foreword. But these are such minor, nick picky issues that you would expect from a fellow filmmaker. So, I'll stop my critique at that note and close with saying it is a film worth seeing and watching.

If Echoes of Enlightenment is an example of Dan Copeland's true talent and not a `one shot wonder', he has the potential of being a great filmmaker.

The only thing that kept me watching this movie to the end was my stubbornness. I am very surprised at the decent reviews this movie has gotten-- did I watch a different movie? Did I somehow miss what I was looking for-- depth, insight, humor, characters who evoke an emotional response (any emotional response!). None of this was in "Echos". Instead, what is offered is watered down Buddhism mixed with the Celestine Prophecies and a hint of Richard Bach; terrible acting; creepy whispered voice overs... Ugh. This movie bored me and made my skin crawl at the same time. It seems that this movie was attempting to capture the joy and grace of enlightenment reached in "I Heart Huckabees"--- and failed miserably. Save yourself from watching this movie-- you will never get the time back...

"Echos of Enlightenment" Dan Coplan's indie is a great study of humanity in the 21st century. The character Dan is, whether or not we admit it, can be found in all of us. He is a man coping in the 21st century with all the stresses of outside influences hammering away at anything good he has, or is about, when he disappears. This movie is an excellent metaphor for the Buddhist principle of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds and shows that happiness is possible under any circumstance. It's all up to the individual. The characters journey from Hell to Buddhahood is depicted with seriousness and humor. A great movie for anyone open to the possibilities of innate happiness.

The spiritual journey of Daniel Coplan unfolds much like the spiritual journey that many of us find ourselves on: Confusing, painful, humorous and inspirational, anything but boring. Echos of Enlightenment is stylistically similar to books like Robert Persig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and movies like Memento, with the philosophical weight of What Dreams May Come. If you are in the mood for a 'brainstem' evening of movie watching, Echos of Enlightenment is not the movie to see. It requires the full attention of the viewer, prompting each to reflect on the state of their current existence.

One especially 'enlightening' aspect of the film is the look at the life of a lawyer. Mr. Coplan (Director) does a particularly good job of illustrating the tedium and minutia that can (and does) drive individuals to brink of implosion. I for one will never become an attorney after seeing this movie.

Echos of Enlightenment, while not technically perfect, is a film told in a unique and interesting fashion. Its subject matter is worthy of the art of cinema and should be explored more often. Thank you Mr. Coplan. Please make more movies.