hexanone
The brave people who went on the difficult journey of exploring the religious experience by interviewing influential religious thinkers were not prepared for the ride. Regardless if this was their first movie, as they are amply reminding us time and again, the lack of coherence and the unnecessary heavy editing that stripped all substance from thoughtful responses of the interviewee is rendering a good idea into something meaningless. I would have been much more interested in seeing complete interviews of each spiritual or religious leaders without editing, but no such luck.I would not recommend this movie to anyone seriously seeking an articulate discussion on the topic of religion or religious experience, but it could be palatable for those seeking good one liners or simple wisdom.
tj1screen
Here's a small film which is heart-felt and earnest, driven by pure motives to try to unite a divided nation and calm our fears and bedraggled nerves. So why am I about to rain on its parade?As much as I respect the film and the attempts of the filmmakers, I must say I quickly became bored by the constant "golly-gee-whiz" factor of the filmmakers' incessant reminder that this is their first film - they're not professional filmmakers - but this is their first film - but they never made a film before - so they bought a camera and made their first film. How about that?!Their access to high places in the world of religious thinkers is impressive. Unfortunately, the film is so heavily edited that these great thinkers only get to deliver sound bites; we don't get to hear a lot of reasoning behind the comment or the verbal pathway of thinking which brought the talker to this particular comment. Heavy philosophical questions cannot be answered in 20-second segments - even if you do string several such segments together.The final groaner for me was the character (who comes to symbolize "any thinking person") as he takes a cliché-ridden journey to enlightenment.I went to this film with another person who agreed with my complaints, and yet she was quite moved by this film and would recommend it to anyone. My recommendation is not as glowing. If you liked WHAT THE BLEEP, there's a 60/40 chance you'll enjoy ONE. But turn off that little film critic inside your head first.
torielly
Participating in the Canadian premiere of this film, I really didn't know what to expect from a little, low-budget American Indie about the "meaning of life" especially opening on New Year's Day. Not only did every show sell out, people returned to see it and brought their friends, their mothers, their lovers, often driving two hours to the there. Even churches reserved dozens of tickets! Every time I stood at the back of the theatre (because there only was standing room!) I could feel an immediate "heart opening" and expanded presence of oneness. Not only did this movie deliver on the message, more importantly it delivered on the experience. What I loved was the universality of this movie - it's not just for the "new age"/cultural creative set but truly for everyONE! Time for Hollywood to wake up and smell the success of spiritual cinema...
one-71
My awareness changed after seeing this film the first time. And how often can you say that about a movie?! The messages from these wise men and women resonates with you long after leaving the theater, and you are much more inclined to truly live in the moment, just for the quest to feel the "oneness" our lives represent. "We do not know why my reality intersected with your reality, but that is the meaning of life." That is where we know our purpose. Additionally, the "interfaith" reactions and dialogues are burgeoning in my community as a result of this film. The labels and walls of differences must be rendered passé as we attempt to move on to a state of oneness. Go see it, and listen.
AD
