dharmic film?

only sometimes do i bother with the inflight movie, but on my flight east we were offered Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium starring Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman. the film was razed by critics, receiving the worst family film mark by rolling stone. but i found it both entertaining and with significant buddhist philosophical undertones whether intentional or not. dustin hoffman’s character seems to have traits attributed to enlightened tibetan masters: a childlike demeanor, magic abilities, impossible age, and endless compassion. he’s the ultimate bodhisattva in all the ways we don’t expect a bodhisattva to behave - carefree and bemused and indifferent to our stress, but always working for the good of others. he even leaves the film in the way tibetan masters are said to enter parinirvana. perhaps author zach helm borrowed from buddhist mythologic ideas. but in summary, the film was uplifting and worth seeing in spite of it’s rated G and simplistic story. you might take my review with a grain of salt though, since i was entering a meditation retreat and generally in a fantastic mood.

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