Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

[Hoyu]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

Jundo wrote:
IF ONE TRULY CANNOT LOCATE THE MOVIE FROM A RENTAL LOCATION DESPITE SERIOUS EFFORTS (and despite the fact that the movie is available for rental in some locations) ...

P.S. It wasn't available in my location either! Which makes me wonder if they even rent this one anymore?

[Kyonin]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

If you guys want I can make a digital copy of the film and make it available for all. Just say the word.

[Hoyu]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

If you guys want I can make a digital copy of the film and make it available for all. Just say the word.

This is a mighty nice offer Choco! If we decide to go this route I'll definitely take you up on it!

Gassho,
John

[Hans]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

Hello folks,

I can't get a copy either so far (and I live in Germany!!!), however I'll try to contact the production company in the next couple of days. Sending money to Mrs. Doerrie is not such a great idea since we don't know whether she still owns the rights to her film (though it seems very likely).

Once I hear anything new I'll let you know.

All the best,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Kyonin]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

What happens if I invited you to my home and watch the movie? Would that be piracy? I think not.

Extrapolated to the web, someone could play the movie and stream it for you us to see ONE TIME ONLY at a certain date and time. Just like if go to a friend's house and watch it.

We can use software like this: http://www.nchsoftware.com/broadcam/index.html#102 , where the stream is private.

I don't know. Just a thought.

[Hoyu]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

Hi All,

I think perhaps it's time to move forward on this one. Hopefully we can get things worked out for others to join in when they can. In the mean time I say those of us who have seen it please share your opinions.

Well Uwe's wife leaves him and Gustav is searching for spiritual fulfillment. What a crazy ride! Lost, short on cash and homeless! Yet they never give up on their quest aided in part by a pocket book of Buddha's wisdom.
This was a fun film. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Uwe and Gustav. I like the evolution of both characters but really enjoyed how after begging to go, then sobering up and fighting against the whole idea Uwe really comes around to the practice. One of my favorite scenes is after their time in the monastery and while sitting in their tent at night Uwe suggests going over Hannya Shingyo. And boy didn't Gustav have a major realization which would change his life for ever!

Feel free to share any favorite scenes or perhaps how well or not you feel you would have done in their places.

Gassho,
John

[Kyonin]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)



Well here are my comments about Enlightenment Guaranteed.

To bring it down to a simple phrase: I loved it.

This film has a lot of wisdom, laughs and at a couple of spots it brought some tears because it's a story about self discovery that anyone can it's very easy to relate to. Main characters Uwe and Gustav are two brothers very different from each other.

Gustav is a guy who has a problem with eating (he eats too much), but he seems to be a Buddhist and he signs up for a zen monastery in Japan. He is sure that this is what he wants the most. Gustav is a control freak with a very noisy family and gets devastated when his wife leaves him and this a very funny part because he just weeps and cries like a little kid.

Each have their own personalities and problems and they end up in Tokyo a couple of days before going to the monastery. And here they, due to countless problems, they end up with no money, no housing, they get lost, they don't speak the language here is where the trip of self discovery begins because since they have no option, they just have to accept whatever life throws at them.

When they finally get to the monastery new problems arise. Gustav, who was eager to get there, realizes the monk's life is not as wonderful as he expected it to be. Uwe simply starts to get carried away by the flow.

And they get in touch with hardcore meditation sessions which slowly transform both characters. I won't spoil the fun for you here, so you'll have to watch the movie to know what happens.

There is a lot of dharma on this film. It's about renunciation, the Four Noble Truths, flowing with life, learning, dropping attachments and resistances and a lot of zazen.

In a world where in most movies they blow stuff up with huge explosions and digital effects, to watch and independent, well thought and charming movie like Enlightenment Guaranteed is most refreshing. And being a Buddhist movie, well, is just a can't miss. Loved it.

[Zen_Fire]

Re: Now Playing: Enlightenment Guaranteed (2002)

I was able to buy the movie on E-Bay in VHS format for about U$5.00. Thanks to my old cranky TV-VHS combo (yes, they still exist), I was able to watch the movie.

Anyway, the story was very sweet. It was good to remind me of how it is important to each one of us to let difficult and challenges to crack our shells open. Only, when the one's shell cracks open the seed can come out and grow. Life is not always (or most of the time) the way we want it to be, but as a Zen priest said once : "Suffering is when you compare what we are and what we think we ought to be."

Much for me to learn with the movie.