Doomtomylo
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
Helllins
It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.
Calum Hutton
It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...
Gary
The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.
austin0731
Kumaré is a fascinating exploration of religious culture and the New age movement that has been ever growing as a form of bringing Eastern forms of thought and philosophy to a Western audience. As someone who has had first hand experience in this world of rituals, chants and self improvement I was deeply fascinated by both the premise and the twists and turns of the film. Kumaré takes a deep dive into the world of spiritual gurus as an everyman, film director Vikram Gandhi decides to experience first hand what it means to be a spiritual guru and whether this whole New-age deal is complete nonsense of is there in fact something deeper that people can dwell into. it's a very very interesting look into this idea of the New age and the modern man's need for self fulfilment purpose and the existential fulfilment that these modern gurus are able to fulfill. Personally my experience with the film drew many parallels with many so called 'gurus' that I have personally had experiences with, while never fully convinced of these 'holy men' and 'advanced being' or whatever they choose to call themselves I always had the personal agenda that aligned very much with Vikram's visions in that we ourselves have the innate ability to distinguish right from wrong and to self improve. The most interesting parts of the documentary reflect this belief and how this agenda of Vikram eventually divulges into a belief system of his own. Just going to show that while the idea of a spiritual guru or spiritual leader may be simply phathomed out of thin air the sense of belief that people are able to mirror and reflect onto the figure or themselves is undisputedly real and genuine. Kumaré takes audiences on a fascinating exploration of this idea and director Vikram's eventual conclusion of this genuine relationship and bond that actually came out of an idea that had no authentic basis. I wonderfully emotional and suspenseful documentary for anyone who has any interest in the subject matter.
FVMagic
Kumaré eludes simple definitions. It lies somewhere between a documentary and reality TV. Director Vikram Gandhi is fed up with all the trendy gurus who he has found out to be exactly like any of us. He sets out to create a fake identity for himself as Sri Kumaré, a mystical holy man from India complete with the hilarious exaggerated Indian accent, big beard, long hair and all the other outward signs of a spiritual leader. He quickly finds loyal followers who are all too willing to embrace his status without really questioning anything. However, he himself makes some surprising discoveries and changes during this journey that at times seems very close to getting out of hand.I really like the handling of this very delicate subject matter. People confide in Kumaré blindly and many openly talk about their issues and private problems. Some of the stories are truly touching and heartbreaking. Still, you don't get the sense people are exploited. They come across as dangerously gullible but at the same time sincere and vulnerable. There are also hilarious moments when people do totally absurd things without realizing the ridiculousness of the situation.Kumaré makes you think and challenges easy answers. Yes, some of the people clearly are not rational at all, and yes, it's obvious all the "forces" and "powers" that people feel come from within themselves. But isn't that true for all religions? How is this fake guru different than any other guru - or any religious figure, for that matter? It makes it visible how painfully we crave for understanding and meaning in our lives. To feel we are worth something.The ending is brilliant and unexpectedly intense. It made me feel confused, awkward, compassionate - and other feelings for which I have no name to put on. Highly recommended film for everyone.
webmailtim
What a Fascinating movie about the human condition,blah, blah, blah. So the reviews go - for people who arrogate themselves to believe that they're "in on it" and woe and behold the frailty of humankind to be taken in by charlatans. Well, physicians, Heal thyself! Kumare from Jersey is playing YOU as the patsy. Breathe deep his bogus mirror therapy. Because you're the sucker in the mirror and This was scripted from start to finish yet other reviewers like to believe that Kumare got carried away and painted himself into a corner with a fantasy that he took too far. No he didn't. It wasn't a moral crisis that he suffered when he found himself too far into his own game that he couldn't "reveal" himself in person and and sheepishly had to do it via video to his followers. The video "reveal" is for your sake *the viewer* and on purpose. Like the fools who had phallic symbols painted by this sadistic freak onto their faces yet still embrace him after he picked their spiritual pocket, foolish viewers give this a top rating. You really think he was to chicken too do a personal "reveal" in front of 2 dozen people? No, he was hunting the bigger game- the video audience.
hkauteur
American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi transforms himself into Sri Kumaré, an enlightened guru from a fictional village in India, by adopting a fake Indian accent and growing out his hair and beard. Kumaré travels to Arizona to spread his made-up philosophy and gain sincere followers.Kumaré documents a social experiment that was not well-planned and goes awry. Vikram Gandhi starts off by pretending to be a false prophet to make fun of religious people. But when he starts to gain sincere followers, he sees that these people have real-life problems and need hope and guidance, he starts to feel guilty. What was he expecting would happen?The first half of the film is funny and disturbing in the way that it fulfills the entirety of Gandhi's thesis. We laugh at these followers because we have a social distance from it. For the latter half of the film, it becomes uncomfortable as his followers start to become close with Sri Kumaré, telling him intimate details of their personal lives and asking him for advice. He fights with himself over how he should tell them. This is where the documentary lost me. I did not care one bit for Vikram. I was cringing for his followers and kept watching to see their reaction when the curtain was pulled before them. So in the end, do the ends justify the means? I personally do not think so. Other people may see it differently. To me, Vikram Gandhi becomes the person he set out to mock. The film celebrates its own mean-spiritedness at the end and it just left a bad taste in my mouth. I am not one to make fun of other people's faith.If there is anything positive to come out of Gandhi's experiment, it's that everybody has the potential to find peace within themselves, whether that's religion, yoga, golf, knitting or gardening. People should believe in something that they can find happiness in, even if it's not God.But I already knew that before watching this film.For more reviews, please view my film blog @ http://hkauteur.wordpress.com/